ff-S 


|  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY,  $ 
|  Princeton,  N.  J.  f 


From  the  PUBLISHER. 


BV  4501  .C66  1847 
Colquhoun,  Janet  Sinclair, 

1781-1846. 
World's  religion  as 

contrasted  with_c?enuine 


THE 


WORLD'S      RELIGION, 


AS    CONTRASTED    WITH 


GENUINE  CHRISTIANITY. 


/    BY 
LADY  COLQUHOUN. 

DAUGHTER    OF   THE    HON.    SlR   JOHN    SlNCLAJR. 


"  Our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  who  gave  Himself  for  our  sins,  that  He  might 
deliver  us  from  tins  present  evil  world." 

Gal.  i.  3,  4. 


NEW    YORK: 

ROBERT  CARTER,  58  CANAL  STREET, 

AND  PITTSBURG,  56  MARKET  STREET. 

1847. 


"They  praise  and  they  admire  they  know  not  what 
And  know  not  whom,  but  as  one  leads  the  other ; 
And  what  delight  to  be  by  sucli  extoll'd  ! 
To  live  upon  their  tongues,  and  be  their  talk, 
Of  whom  to  be  dispraised  were  no  small  praise  !" 

Milton. 


PREFACE. 


That  the  things  of  time  should  so  frequently  be 
held  in  higher  estimation  than  those  of  eternity,  is 
a  fact  that  appears  strangely  inconsistent;  and  to 
account  for  it  with  any  thing  like  reason  is  impos- 
sible. Several  circumstances,  however,  concur  to 
produce  this  anomaly.  And  first,  our  short-sight- 
edness. Our  eyes  seem  strained  when  we  look 
beyond  present  objects  and  enjoyments  ;  we  are 
unable  to  fix  them  for  any  lengthened  period  upon 
futurity ;  we  see  what  is  around  us  in  the  world, 
but  we  see  not,  or  very  obscurely,  even  with  the 
light  the  Scriptures  afford,  distant  realities,  however 
glorious.  And  then  our  depravity  confines  our 
thoughts  and  desires  to  the  vanities  of  time.  As 
fallen  creatures,  we  have  no  taste  for  the  sublime 

pleasures  which  infinitely  transcend  those  of  earth, 

1* 


VI  PREFACE. 

and,  therefore,  worldly  concerns  alone  interest,  and 
upon  them  the  dependence  and  the  hope  are  solely 
placed  for  gratification  and  comfort.  To  forget  that 
there  is  another  state  of  being  is  frequently  the  aim 
of  mankind,  and  if  it  be  kept  in  view  at  all,  a  re- 
versionary interest  in  the  heavenly  felicity,  when 
every  thing  here  fails,  is  that  which  induces  a 
thought  concerning  it,  and  not  delight  in  the  joys 
that  surround  the  throne  of  the  Eternal. 

Thus  men  are  contented  to  play  with  earth's 
baubles ;  and  when  disappointment  succeeds  to 
hope,  some  other  toy  supplies  the  place  of  the  for- 
mer, till  its  fallaciousness  also  is  proved.  And  so 
man's  earthly  career  is  spent  in  grasping  at  shad- 
ows, and  grieving  to  find  them  unsubstantial,  un- 
satisfying, and  evanescent. 

This  life  cannot  yield  sufficient  happiness  for  an 
immortal  soul,  inasmuch  as  its  utmost  bound  is  but 
as  nothing  in  comparison  with  the  infinitely  length- 
ened term  of  an  eternal  existence.  The  world's 
good  is  but  a  pittance  when  enjoyment  must  be 
found  for  endless  years,  or  these  years  spent  in  the 
lack  of  it.  It  is  mockery  to  desire  a  man  to  live 
eternally  upon  the  sustenance  of  a  day !  If  we 
secure  not  something  more  lasting  than  earth's  best 


PREFACE.  Vll 

gifts,  we  must  shortly  be  deprived  of  all  on  which 
our  hearts  are  set. 

That  the  world  is  delusive  and  ensnaring,  it  is 
our  endeavour,  in  the  following  pages,  to  prove. 
That  no  solid  joy  can  accrue  from  its  vain  show 
and  idle  pageantry,  we  believe  all  who  possess  them 
will,  as  with  one  voice,  testify.  The  pleasures  of 
earth  allure  in  anticipation,  but  they  seldom  deceive 
in  possession.  Take  but  a  full  draught  of  worldly 
enjoyments,  and  the  intoxication  ceases  ;  and  if 
wedded  to  the  world  still,  it  is  because  true  joy  is 
unknown. 

Wherein  real  blessedness  consists,  and  the  way 
m  which  it  may  be  attained,  it  is  likewise  our  de- 
sire to  point  out.  And  should  we  have  the  un- 
speakable comfort  of  being  instrumental,  through 
the  divine  blessing,  in  opening  the  eyes  of  one 
worldly  character,  to  see  the  futility  of  his  hopes, 
— to  perceive  that  he  is  building  on  the  sand,  and 
that  his  pleasures  perish  in  the  using, — the  value 
of  such  a  discovery  will  be  inestimably  precious. 
The  soul  that  ceases  to  cleave  to  earth,  is  taught 
of  God  to  seek  imperishable  riches, — "  a  treasure 
in  the  heavens  that  faileth  not ;  where  no  thief  ap- 
proacheth,  neither  moth  corrupteth."      And  they 


Vlll  PREFACE. 

that  seek  the  joys  that  are  at  God's  right  hand, 
have  the  unfailing  promise,  that  they  shall  find  them. 
The  water  of  life  is  free  to  all,  and  its,  draught 
satisfies. 

And  never  let  it  be  forgotten,  that  if  we  secure 
immortal  blessedness,  we  shall  have  true  enjoyment 
in  the  world  besides  ;  but  if  we  lose  heaven's  joy, 
we  can  possess  no  other  that  is  worth  the  covet- 
ing. Thus  real  is  inseparable  from  everlasting 
happiness.  Joy  is  never  dealt  out  by  halves ;  it  is 
all,  or  none.  If  we  accept  of  it,  we  shall  have  the 
full  portion  that,  never  ends ;  if  we  reject  it,  not 
one  particle  of  pure  bliss  can  even  here  be  ours. 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  I. 


THE  CHRISTIAN'S  DANGER  FROM  THE  WORLD. 

Fag$ 
Different  meanings  of  the  Phrase,  "  the  World,"— In  Scripture  used  to 
denote  those  who  are  opposed  to  godliness — The  world  and  real  Chris- 
tians opposed  in  thought,  in  action — Dispositions  and  actions  of  the 
worldly  various — Impossibility  of  avoiding  converse  with  the  world — 
Danger  from  it — Christian's  conduct  towards  the  worldly,       .       .  13 


CHAPTER  II. 

WORLDLINESS  IN  PRACTICE. 

In  what  instances  believers  may  be  seduced  to  conform  to  worldly 
practices — Christians  not  inclined  to  flagrant  sin — Danger  of  conformity 
in  dfsire  of  applause — Fashion — Expense — Spending  of  time — Gaieties 
— Love  of  the  world  incompatible  wtth  Christianity  . 


CHAPTER  III. 

THE  CHRISTIAN  SABBATH. 

The  Sabbath  misspent— Blessedness  of  the  Institution — Manner  in 
which  the  worldly  spend  it— Objection  answered — Christians  hail  the 
return  of  the  Sabbath — Topics  that  on  that  day  pass  under  their  review 
— Other  duties  of  it — Connection  between  the  Sabbath  and  the  week — 
Best  in  God— Temptations  through  intercourse  with  the  world— Prayer 
recommended 40 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

RELIGION  OF  THE  WORLDLY  CONTRASTED 
WITH  THE  TRUE. 

Page. 
World's  religion  without  reference  to  the  Bible — Consists  in  cold,  un- 
influential  ceremony — Wordly  ideas  of  morality — Selfishness — Perver- 
sions of  religion — What  it  really  is ;  deeply  seated  in  the  heart ;  eminently 
conspicuous ;  unlimited  in  its  influence — Religion  of  worldly  confined — 
The  true,  universal  in  its  effects — Searching  questions — Why  wonders  of 
redemption  wrought, 58 


CHAPTER  V. 

THE  YOUNG  SHOWN  WHERE  TO  FIND 
HAPPINESS. 

Ignorance  of  religion  often  in  the  well  inclined  among  the  young — 
They  conceive  of  it  as  enthusiasm — To  think  thus  not  blameless — Youth 
attractive — The  young  addressed — Lord  Chesterfield's  testimony  to  the 
vanity  of  the  world — Extract  of  a  letter  to  him  from  Voltaire — That  re- 
ligion is  gloomy,  contradicted  by  fact — Clementine  Cuvier :  Hannah  Sin- 
clair— Striking  contrast  between  the  happiness  expressed  by  the  religious, 
and  the  lack  of  it  in  the  worldly — The  young  earnestly  pled  with,       .      75 


CHAPTER  VI. 


THE  WAY  OF  SALVATION. 

What  is  essential  to  salvation  clearly  revealed — Difficulties  where  there 
need  be  none — A  sense  of  helplessness  necessary — A  sense  of  sin  very 
encouraging — Receiving  Christ — Salvation  finished — For  whom  ?  those 
who  desire  it  in  whole — Believer  discouraged  by  defect  in  sanctification 
— Address  to  the  careless— Delay  dangerous— Warfare  commences 
with  spiritual  life,       ....  ,  ....     93 


CONTENTS.  XI 

CHAPTER  VII. 

THE  CHRISTIAN'S  WARFARE. 

Page. 
Mankind  by  nature  in  a  state  of  warfare  with  God— Christian's  war- 
fare is  with  Satan— Strife  with  evil  not  natural  to  man— Actions  of  un- 
regenerated,  evil— Characteristics  of  Christian's  warfare :— Much  in 
earnest ;  deep  humility ;  of  an  exterminating  quality— Certainty  of  the 
result— Are  we  engaged  in  this  warfare  ?— Christian's  should  use  their 
weapons— Redemption  irrespective  of  any  thing  in  us— This  warfare 
shall  cease,       .  Ill 

CHAPTER  VIII. 

THE  CHRISTIAN'S  LOVE  OF  HOLINESS. 

Christian's  warfare  shall  end  in  peace— Change  in  believers  more  or 
less  rapid— Their  love  of  holiness— attributes  of  God  incomprehensible ; 
love,  light,  holiness,  life,  eternal  existence — Infinitude  of  God's  excel- 
lencies— Christian's  delight  in  God — Holiness  and  happiness  inseparable 
— The  desire  of  holiness  given  in  order  to  its  gratification — Holiness 
progressive — Do  we  feel  that  holiness  and  happiness  are  inseparable  I — 
How  are  we  affected  towards  its  infinitude  7 — Heaven's  bliss  incon- 
ceivable,        128 

CHAPTER  IX. 

THE  CAPACITY  TO  TASTE  JOY. 

Chief  distinction  between  the  worldly  and  religious— The  soul  must  be 
formed  for  happiness  ere  it  can  receive  it — Joy  in  God  alone  satisfying — 
Men  of  the  world  incapacitated  to  taste  joy — This  incapacity  tends  to, 
and  is  a  capacity  for,  misery — consolatory  thought  to  believers — Capacity 
for  joy  may  be  given  where,  for  a  time,  little  joy  is  experienced — This 
state  seldom  of  long  continuance — Christians  should  exert  their  capacity 
to  taste  joy — Affecting  state  of  those  who  are  destitute  of  it— It  should 
be  sought— Essential  requisite  of  true  joy 145 


Xil  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER  X. 

CHRISTIAN  GRACES  GIVEN  TO  BE  USED. 

Page. 
All  God's  works  manifestly  with  design— Design  in  the  formation  of 
the  new  man  in  Christ  Jesus— Diligently  to  employ  their  talents,  pressed 
upon  Christians — Such  as  love,  trust,  abasement,  ability  to  pray,  to  praise, 
to  endure,  to  labour,  to  fight — By  nature  destitute  of  them  all — Gift  of 
Holy  Spirit  unspeakably  valuable,  and  given  to  be  exhibited  to  the  praise 
of  God's  grace, 161 

CHAPTER  XL 

THE  CITIZENS  OF  HEAVEN. 

Natives  of  different  worlds— Trials  of  Christians  in  this  world,  as  citi- 
zens of  heaven  :  accounted  fools  or  madmen ;  small  number  of  their 
countrymen ;  dread  of  contamination — These  trials  prove  their  decent 
— Consolatory  to  know  that  their  heavenly  origin  must  remain — Impos- 
sible altogether  to  efface  the  identity  of  countrymen— The  Spirit's  seal 
equally  uneffaceable— Inquietudes  in  the  way  to  heaven  may  well  be 
borne — Evidence  of  citizenship  in  love  of  countrymen.       .       .       .       179 

CHAPTER  XII. 

GROVELLING  NATURE  OF  WORLDLINESS. 

The  people  of  God  and  the  worldly  may  know  to  which  class  they  be- 
long—The worldly  addressed— Reason  and  immortality  distinguish  man 
from  the  brute  creation — Both  profitless  to  the  worldly — Infinite  weight 
of  eternity — Not  from  reason  that  a  change  in  man  can  be  anticipated — 
Christianity  restores  man  to  his  primeval  dignity— That  we  prize  our  im- 
mortality a  test  to  judge  of  our  state — The  world  placed  in  the  balance 
against  eternal  joy  and  present  peace,  ....    l*rf 


THE  WORLD'S  RELIGION. 


THE  WORLD'S  RELIGION,  &c. 


CHAPTER  I. 

THE  CHRISTIAN'S  DANGER  FROM  THE  WORLD. 


Different  meanings  of  the  phrase,  The  World— In  Scripture  used  to  denote 
those  who  are  opposed  to  godliness — The  world  and  real  Christians  op- 
posed in  thought,  in  action — Dispositions  and  actions  of  the  worldly  vari- 
ous— Impossibility  of  avoiding  converse  with  the  world — Danger  from  it — 
Christians'  conduct  towards  the  worldly. 


"These  are  thy  glorious  works,  Parent  of  good  ! 
Almighty  !  thine  this  universal  frame, 
Thus  wondrous   fair ;  thyself  how  wondrous  then, 
Unspeakable !  who  sitt'st  above  these  heavens, 
To  us  invisible,  or  dimly  seen 
In  these,  thy  lowest  works ;  yet  these  declare 
Thy  goodness  beyond  thought,  and  pow'r  divine.'* 

The  world,  in  the  literal  acceptation  of  the  term, 
signifies  the  globe  on  which  we  dwell ;  that  spheric 
mass,  composed  of  minerals  and  vegetables,  which 
in  our  planetary  system  revolves  round  our  sun, 
and  in  which  God  has  placed  his  creature,  Man. 
This  residence,  in  which  it  is  the  good  pleasure  of 
the  Deity  that  we  should  sojourn,  is  in  every  re- 
spect fitted  to  attract  our  reverential  attention,  and 
to  call  forth  our  love.  The  wonders  and  beauties 
that  surround  us,  bearing,  as  they  do,  in  legible 
characters,  the  impress  of  the  hand  which  formed 

2 


14  THE    CHRISTIAN'S    DANGEft 

them,  demand  the  regard  and  the  research  of  ra- 
tional and  intelligent  beings. 

With  what  incomparable  grandeur  and  elegance 
is  our  world  adorned  !  Whether  we  ascend  heights 
lofty  as  the  Andes,  or  stoop  to  examine  the  tints 
which,  in  countless  number  and  variegated  hue, 
enliven  the  turf,  or  spring  from  the  soil, — whether 
we  view  the  flame  which  majestically  rises  from 
Vesuvius  or  Etna,  or  the  blade  which  we  tread  be- 
neath our  footsteps, — whether  we  behold  the  mag- 
nificence of  the  ocean's  roll,  or  the  beauteous  paint- 
ing with  which  the  tulip  and  the  butterfly  are 
arrayed,  wonders  far  beyond  created  power  to 
frame,  transfix  the  gaze  and  charm  the  senses  ! 
There  is  not  a  plant  that  lives  unobserved  in  the 
desert,  there  is  not  a  floweret  that  blooms  unheed- 
ed in  the  vale,  which  wears  not  the  stamp  of  the 
Great  Creator's  workmanship,  and  is  not  meet  to 
exhibit  His  glory  !  The  garden  and  the  forest,  the 
stately  oak  and  the  delicate  snow  drop,  ice-clad 
regions  and  the  burning  plains  of  Hindoostan,  all, 
all  unite  with  universal  voice  in  proclaiming,  "  the 
hand  that  made  us  is  divine." 

The  world,  in  this  sense,  therefore,  is  eminently 
calculated  to  excite  our  interest,  and  claim  our  ad- 
miration. "  O  Lord,  how  manifold  are  thy  works," 
said  the  Psalmist,  "in  wisdom  hast  thou  made 
them  all :  the  earth  is  full  of  thy  riches."  And 
every  child  of  God  views  with  peculiar  delight  the 


FROM    THE    WORLD.  15 

splendid  fabric  of  the  creation,  knowing  that  it 
emanated  from  his  best  friend,  and  unwearied  bene- 
factor. We  naturally  prize  the  workmanship  of 
one  who  is  dear  to  us  ;  and  if  in  itself  it  is  beauti- 
ful or  estimable,  we  are  proud  to  avow  that  he 
whom  we  value  made  it.  And  shall  not  the  Chris- 
tian, who  is  related  to  the  Almighty  by  a  tie  nearer 
and  closer  than  any  that  is  earthly,  glory  in  the 
wonderful  works  of  his  covenant  God,  and  with 
filial  regard  and  humble  gratitude, 

"  Lift  to  heaven  an  unprcsumptuous  eye, 
And  smiling  say,  My  Father  made  them  all. 
Are  they  not  his  by  a  peculiar  right, 
And  by  an  emphasis  of  int'rest  his, 
Whose  eye  they  fill  with  tears  of  holy  joy, 
Whose  heart  with  praise,  and  whose  exalted  mind 
With  worthy  thoughts  of  that  unwearied  love 
That  plann'd,  and  built,  and  still  upholds  a  world 
So  clothed  with  beauty  for  rebellious  man  V* 

There  are,  however,  other  meanings  distinct 
from  that  of  the  earth  which  we  inhabit,  that  are 
attached  to  the  phrase,  the  world,  and  which,  from 
general  usage,  have  become  familiar  to  us.  It  is 
frequently  employed  to  designate  a  portion  of  man- 
kind. Thus  we  hear  of  the  world  of  taste,  the 
world  of  fashion,  the  literary  world,  or  other  simi- 
lar appellations,  which  are  intended  to  denote  a 
part  or  division  of  the  human  race.  Or  men  of  the 
world  are  spoken  of,  by  which  is  intended  that  class 
of  persons  who  are  most  conversant  with  general 
customs  and  practices.  Or  the  expression,  the 
opinions  of  the  world,  is  used  to  signify  those  sen- 


16  THE    CHRISTIAN'S    DANGER 

timents  and  ideas  that  are  received  and  adopted  by 
the  majority  who  take  a  lead  in  its  concerns.  Wo 
likewise  hear  of  the  Christian  world,  and  the  world, 
as  opposed  to  what  is  peculiarly  Christian.  In  the 
latter  sense,  we  find  the  expression  adopted  by 
Christ  himself.  "  I  pray  not  for  the  world  but  for 
them  which  thou  hast  given  me.  The  world  hath 
hated  them  because  they  are  not  of  the  world,  even 
even  as  I  am  not  of  the  world."*  "  If  the  world 
hate  you,  ye  know  that  it  hated  me  before  it  hated 
you."t  In  this  meaning  of  the  term,  the  world  has 
ever  been  the  source  of  temptation  and  trial  to  the 
children  of  God ;  and  it  is  in  this  sense  that  the 
apostle  John  warns  the  Christian  converts  not  to 
"  love  the  world,  neither  the  things  that  are  in  the 
world."* 

From  these  texts  of  Scripture,  and  others  oi 
similar  import,  it  is  evident,  that  there  is  something 
inimical  to  the  life  of  godliness  in  holding  much 
intercourse  with  the  larger  proportion  of  men,  or 
according  to  the  phrase  in  general  use,  the  world. 
Every  Christian  feels,  that  to  be  much  in  the  so- 
ciety of  worldly  characters  is  an  impediment  to 
his  religious  progress,  and  those  who  are  necessi- 
tated to  be  so  are  frequently  more  or  less  injured 
by  it.  There  is  a  contrariety  in  the  desires  and 
sentiments  which  prevail  in  the  heart  of  the  world- 

*  John  xvii.  9-14.  t  John  xv.  18.  1 1  John  ii.  15. 


FROM    THE    WORLD.  17 

iy  professor,  to  those  principles  and  affections  that 
religion  enjoins,  which  leads  to  the  result  we  would 
deprecate.  And  a  deadening  and  destructive  in- 
fluence on  that  new  life  which  believers  inherit,  is 
consequent  on  associating  much  with  the  people  in 
whom  this  dissimilarity  exists. 

It  may  scarcely  be  necessary  to  observe,  that 
real  Christians,  and  the  world,  as  opposed  to  them 
in  principle,  live  in  a  totally  different  range  of 
thought ;  the  one  having  their  expectations  of  hap- 
piness chiefly  placed  in  a  future  state,  the  other  as 
having  little  hope  beyond  the  present  scene.  The 
enjoyments  of  worldlings  end  with  life  ;  they  have 
no  realizing  apprehension  of  aught  that  is  to  fol- 
low, when  death  has  done  its  office.  Their  minds 
scarcely  ever  contemplate  the  prospect  when  the 
things  of  time  shall  cease.  They  give  themselves 
no  concern  to  solve  the  all-important  questions, — 
"  What  shall  be  my  fate  when  I  am  no  longer  the 
inhabitant  of  this  earth  ?  Is  the  soul  immortal  ? 
and,  Where  shall  it  exist  for  ever  f*  To  watch 
*mat  may  escape  from  them  in  conversation  re- 
garding futurity,  one  might  be  inclined  to  imagine, 
that  they  considered  it  of  no  consequence  whether 
there  is  another  state  of  existence,  or  whether  they 
shall  perish  with  the  brutes ;  for  all  their  desires 
relate  to  time  and  its  vanities.  Talk  to  them  of 
the  happiness  of  heaven,  and.it  will  be  very  evi- 
dent that  they  can  conceive  of  no  pleasure  there^ 

2* 


18  THE    CHRISTIAN'S    DANGER 

for  it  is  with  marked  impatience  that  they  can  be 
brought  to  listen  to  such  a  theme,  which  they  visi- 
bly show,  in  their  apprehension,  carries  gloom 
along  with  it.  And  even  when  sick  or  dying,  and 
thus  incapacitated  for  relishing  earth's  best  gifts,  tell 
them  that  joys  which  never  end  are  offered  to  their 
acceptance,  and  the  listless,  apathetic  look,  and  ap- 
parent distaste  for  the  subject,  betray  the  truth  that 
they  conceive  not  of  joy  beyond  the  grave. 

How  exceedingly  different  are  their  emotions 
when  any  piece  of  intelligence  relating  to  worldly 
prosperity  is  communicated  to  them  !  Inform  them 
that  they  have  succeeded  to  an  estate, — that  they 
have  been  successful  in  a  speculation, — that  their 
children  are  likely  to  be  prosperously  settled  in 
life, — or  even  give  them  hopes  of  such  earthly  good, 
and  it  will  be  easy  to  discern,  that  in  their  view, 
happiness  must  ensue  from  the  possession  of  these 
things.  Their  desires  centre  in  the  world,  and  from 
it  alone  they  expect  profit  or  pleasure.  Nay,  to 
take  the  extreme  case  before  mentioned,  on  a  death- 
bed, when  it  might  be  supposed  the  vanity  of  all 
that  is  terrestrial' would  become  evident,  informa- 
tion on  worldly  concerns  seems  more  to  affect  and 
interest  them,  than  the  near  approach  of  that  un- 
changeable state  to  which  they  are  hastening  !  It 
appears  as  if,  in  their  estimation,  there  is  reality  in 
present  things,  something  certain,  and  within  their 
.grasp ;  whereas  that  which  is  spoken  of  the  joys 


FROM    THE    WORLD.  19 

of  heaven,  is  by  them  conceived  to  be  illusive  and 
visionary,  a  blessedness  of  which  they  have  no 
idea,  for  which  they  are  not  prepared,  and  do  not 
entertain  a  wish. 

Completely  the  reverse  of  such  sentiments  are 
those,  which,  by  the  spirit  of  God,  are  imparted  to 
the  believer  in  Jesus.  His  highest  good  is  not 
sought  for  among  the  perishable  contingencies  of 
time.  He  never  can  repose  on  joy  so  fleeting. 
Earth's  gifts  do,  indeed,  call  forth  his  unfeigned 
gratitude  to  Him  who  bestows  them,  and  often  they 
promote  his  pleasure  and  comfort ;  but  he  cannot, 
and  he  would  not,  rest  on  that  which  is  not  calcu- 
lated to  impart  lasting  peace.  Rest,  did  we  say  ? 
The  gifts  of  earth  are  here  to-day  and  gone  to- 
morrow. There  is  no  stability  in  the  prop  they 
afford ;  while  we  lean  upon  them  they  fail !  And 
neither  is  there  satisfaction  to  be  found  in  the 
world's  good ;  for  an  abundant  measure  of  it  we 
might  possess,  and  still  remain  miserable  ;  or  hap- 
py, we  might  be,  although  deprived  of  it  all !  The 
Christian,  therefore,  seeks  a  treasure  that  is  du- 
rable, secure,  abiding,  satisfying.  Hoping  for,  and 
receiving  that  blessedness  which  it  is  only  in  the 
power  of  the  Deity  to  confer,  he  sits  loose  to  the  tri- 
fles of  a  day.  God  is  his  portion,  "  of  all  his  gifts 
Himself  the  crown ;"  and  in  Him  the  believer  in- 
herits, through  sovereign  grace,  fulness  of  unending 
joy. 


20  THE    CHRISTIAN'S    DANGER 

The  distinction  between  the  child  of  God  and 
the  worldly  professor,  is  not,  however,  merely  con 
fined  to  thought,  but  leads  to  a  totally  different  line 
of  conduct.  In  every  description  of  worldly  char- 
acters, we  see  all  that  they  do  has  reference  to 
present  things  ;  to  make  the  most  of  the  world, 
being  naturally  the  first  consideration  with  the  in- 
dividuals who  only  expect  enjoyment  from  it.  And, 
according  to  the  diversified  inclinations  and  tastes 
of  the  world's  votaries,  will  be  their  manner  of 
life. 

The  dispositions  of  this  division  of  mankind  are 
quite  as  various  as  those  of  any  other  class ;  what 
is  pleasure  to  one,  being  much  the  reverse  to  ano- 
ther. The  amassing  of  riches  is  the  delight  of 
some  worldlings,  t*>  attain  which  object  any  sacri- 
fice seems  desirable.  They  will  "rise  early,  and 
sit  up  late,  and  eat  the  bread  of  sorrow,"  if  by  any 
means  they  can  add  to  their  store,  and  increase 
that  for  which  they  have  in  fact  no  use,  nor  any 
intention  of  using.  And  the  prodigal  expending  of 
wealth  in  luxury  or  amusement — possibly  in  vice 
— appears  to  constitute  the  happiness  of  others, 
who,  with  equally  little  reason,  can  place  their  en- 
joyment in  what  is  ruinous  to  their  temporal  inter- 
ests, and  take  pleasure  in  what  necessarily  leads  to 
misery,  even  here.  There  are  some  with  whom 
fame  is  the  chief  good  coveted, — that  capricious 
breath,  which,  little  worth,  "  reports  a  truth  or  pub- 


FROM    THE    WORLD.  21 

lishes  a  lie."  To  procure  this  bauble,  toil  seems 
easy  and  labour  sweet.  With  how  much  cost  of 
health  and  of  self-denying  effort,  is  reputation  often 
sought  in  ways  exceedingly  diversified,  and  in  gra- 
dations rising  from  the  wild  effusions  of  the  moun- 
tebank orator,  to  the  patient  research  of  the  man 
of  science,  or  the  course  of  the  statesman  and  the 
warrior. — But  there  are  to  be  found  among  the 
worldly,  some  of  an  amiable  temper  of  mind,  with 
whom  the  applause  of  their  fellow-men  is  not  the 
first  consideration.  These  commonly  look  for  sat- 
isfaction in  their  families,  and  in  the  domestic  cir- 
cle. To  them,  what  is  connected  with  their  pri- 
vate affairs  or  near  relatives,  is  their  first,  their  only 
thought,  and  on  such  concerns  they  bestow  their 
time  and  their  hopes.  In  so  far  as  this  line  of 
conduct  conduces  to  the  well-being  of  others  or 
themselves,  without  being  injurious  to  those  around 
them,  it  is  commendable ;  but  there  is  one  great 
defect  in  these  characters, —  God  is  forgotten. 
They  live  for  the  world ;  it  is  something  earthly 
alone  which  they  prize,  and  for  this  they  labour. 

Thus,  whatever  it  may  be,  it  is  the  world,  in 
some  shape,  that  the  worldly  covet,  and  their  an- 
ticipations of  happiness  from  it  lead  to  the  conduct 
they  pursue.  They  will  toil  with  infinite  assiduity, 
and  submit  to  any  deprivation,  to  acquire  the  short- 
lived earthly  good  to  which  their  propensities  tend. 
From  the  cradle  to  the  grave  they  seem  insensible 


22  the  christian's  danger 

to  the  value  of  any  part  of  their  existence,  except 
that  which  they  are  to  spend  as  mortals,  and  they 
cling  to  life  as  that  on  which  their  hopes  termi 
nate. 

Now,  these  are  the  individuals  with  whom  the 
Christian  must  associate.  It  is  no  matter  of  choice 
whether  or  not  he  shall  dwell  with  them, — they  are 
around  him  in  every  rank  and  sphere, — they  are  to 
be  found  in  every  circle,  and  to  avoid  holding  con- 
verse with  them  is  impossible.  They  are  justly 
termed  the  World,  for  we  must  leave  it,  would  we 
leave  them. 

It  becomes,  therefore,  matter  of  serious  consid- 
eration to  the  renewed  in  heart,  how  they  ought  to 
conduct  themselves  towards  the  people  of  the 
world,  and  in  how  far  it  is  their  duty  to  conform  to 
its  customs  and  practices. 

There  is  undoubtedly  danger  when  much  in  the 
society  of  such  persons,  that  the  believer's  natural, 
grovelling,  earthly  propensities  may  revive.  We 
have  an  ally  in  our  own  breasts  ready  to  confeder- 
ate with  the  world,  and  prone  to  take  delight  in  its 
enjoyments.  And,  although  the  Christian's  affec- 
tions are  fixed,  without  the  possibility  of  final 
change,  on  heaven,  and  heaven's  Lord,  and  are  not 
to  be  satisfied  with  the  toys  of  sense,  yet,  where 
those  with  whom  he  associates  are  engrossed  by 
earth's  vanities,  there  is  something  infectious  in 
the  spirit,  and  the  impression  may  be  lessened  that 


FROM    THE    WORLD.  23 

his  "  life  is  hid  with  Christ  in  God."  Say,  believ- 
ing soul,  have  you  not  felt  it  so  ?  Having  been 
much  with  worldly  men,  can  you,  with  the  same 
fervency  of  spirit,  delight  yourself  with  God ;  and 
can  you,  with  equal  earnestness,  desire  communion 
with  him  ?  And  even  in  the  retirement  of  the 
closet,  does  not  the  effect  of  the  society  you  have 
left  follow  you,  deadening  the  heart  to  religion,  and 
withering  the  lively  perception  of  its  blessedness  ? 
Yes,  it  is  thus.  Association  with  characters  so 
little  congenial,  tends  to  foster  luke-warmness  in 
devotion,  and  all  its  fatal  consequences. 

But,  if  to  associate  with  the  worldly  be  una 
voidable,  (and  perhaps  entirely  to  shun  this  society 
may  not  consist  with  the  Christian's  duty,)  the  line 
of  conduct  which  he  pursues  respecting  them, 
must  be  of  the  utmost  importance,  so  as  on  the  one 
hand  to  avoid  needless  singularity ;  and  on  the 
other,  to  escape  the  hurtful  effects  that  would  en- 
sue from  a  too  ready  compliance  with  practices, 
the  tendency  of  which  is  to  injure  the  life  of  God- 
liness. 

There  is  much  that  may  verge  towards  a  com- 
pliance with  worldly  maxims  and  usages,  for  which 
many  specious  inducements  are  held  out.  With 
an  appearance  of  truth  it  may  be  argued,  that  thus 
we  shall  throw  no  unnecessary  gloom  over  the  re- 
ligion we  profess,  but  shall  exhibit  it  in  a  more 
inviting  form ;  and,  it  may  be,  disrobe   it  in  some 


24  the  christian's  danger 

degree,   of  what,  to  the  characters  of  whom  we 
write,  js  repulsive  and  forbidding.     Ah !  no ;  be- 
liever in  Jesus,  the  religion  of  the  heart  ever  was, 
and  ever  will  be,  distasteful,  uncongenial,  hateful, 
to  those  who  know  it  not.     "  The  carnal  mind  is 
enmity  against  God,  for  it  is  not  subject  to  the  law 
of  God,  neither  indeed  can  be." — But,  again,  it  is 
urged,  that  if  we  cannot  allure  by  concession  in 
minor  points,  we,  at  least,  avoid  giving  offence,  and 
that  in  matters  of  trifling  importance  it  is  often  a 
duty  to  yield.     If,  indeed,  the  matter  be  unimpor- 
tant, concession  may  become  a  duty,  remembering 
the  Apostle's  example,  who  "  was  made  all  things 
to  all  men,  that  he  might  gain  some."     But,  let  us 
ever  bear  in  mind,  that  no  transgression  of  the  law 
of  God  is  of  little  moment.     On  this  the  question 
hinges.     What  do  the  oracles  of  the  Supreme  dic- 
tate, compliance  or  the  reverse  ? — Say  not  the  mat- 
ter is  trifling ;  nothing  is  so  which  God  ordains,  or 
God  forbids.     This  should  be  the  ordeal  by  which 
to  test  whatever  may  seem  doubtful.    The  path  of 
duty  becomes  plain  where  Scripture  is  the  guide. 
But  some  genuine  Christian  may  here  be  ready 
to  say,  that  by  concession  he  fervently  hopes  to  be 
essentially  useful  to  a  dear  friend  or  relative,  who, 
it  is  the  grief  of  his  heart  to  know,  is  deeply  pre- 
judiced against  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus.     Un- 
doubtedly there  is  no  case   in  which  it   is  more 
requisite  that   the   believer  should   walk  circum- 


FROM    THE    WORLD.  25 

spectly  than  this  one,  taking  heed  by  meekness, 
kindness,  and  forbearance,  to  remove,  if  it  be  pos- 
sible, the  false  impression  that  rests  on  the  mind 
of  him  he  would  benefit.     But  we  would  entreat 
him  to  recollect,  that  there  is  a  line  of  separation 
which  must  be  passed,  ere  he  and  a  c}  aracter  so 
opposite,  can  assimilate.     One  cr  /he  ether  must 
yield ;  and  by   yielding,    Christian,   you    at   least 
tacitly  avow  that  your  side  is  the  weakest,  and  that 
your  sentiments  are  of  the  least  importance.    And, 
can  you  be  content  that  any  with  whom  you  are 
connected,  or  who  are  dear  to  you,  should  think 
thus  of  the  minutest  part  of  your  religious  prac- 
tice ?     In  ordinary  concerns,  do  we  find  the  more 
probable  way  to  incline  others  to  follow  our  exam- 
ple in  any  mode  of  life,  is  to  abandon  that  line  of 
conduct  ourselves  ?     No  ;  it  has  become  proverbial 
that  "  example  goes  further  than  precept,"  and  per- 
severance in  what  we  do  is  absolutely  necessary, 
would  we  wish  to   influence  the  actions  of  those 
around  us.     Believe  it,  Christian,  it  is  decision,  not 
compromise,  that  is   the    method  most   likely  to 
awaken,  and  to  win  the  unconverted  soul.     When 
those  whom  you  anxiously  desire  to  profit,  see  you 
firm,  consistent,  unbending,  where  the  law  of  God 
is  concerned,  they  will  be  persuaded  that  you  be- 
lieve what  you  say,  when  you  act  in  conformity  to 
your  profession  ;  and  this  persuasion  will  do  more 
to  arouse  them  from  their  dream  of  security,  and 

3 


26  the  christian's  danger 

to  incline  them  to  consideration  and  inquiry,  than 
any  other  means  which  it  is  in  your  power  to 
adopt. 

Examine,  then,  diligently,  and  deeply  weigh  the 
momentous  consideration,  What  is,  and  what  is 
not,  at  variance  with  your  religious  principles  ? 
And  having  ascertained  that  the  religion  of  Christ 
inculcates  any  duty  however  generally  neglected, 
or  forbids  any  practice  however  universally  fol 
lowed,  hesitate  not  implicitly  to  obey  its  require 
ments,  nor  swerve  an  iota  from  the  straight  line, 
were  the  only  end  you  had  in  view  to  benefit  your 
brethren  of  mankind. 

Conversion  is,  indeed,  the  work  of  God,  but  it 
is  frequently  effected  by  probable  means,  and  often 
by  means  of  the  persevering  endeavours  and  ear- 
nest prayers  of  His  children.  Yet  never  can  they 
hope  for  the  agency  of  the  blessed  Spirit  to  crown 
their  efforts  with  success,  if  they  are  accompanied 
by  a  departure,  however  minute,  from  the  precepts 
the  Scriptures  enjoin.  The  smallest  transgression 
of  the  law  is  sin ;  and  sin  cannot  be  the  instru- 
ment God  employs  as  the  medium  of  leading  the 
unconcerned  to  the  Saviour.  Yield,  believer,  to 
the  wishes  of  those  you  would  benefit  in  any  thing, 
in  every  thing,  excepting  where  the  injunctions  of 
Christ  are  contrary.  Regarding  these,  let  your 
practice  be  stable  as  the  foundation  from  whence 
it  flows      "  The  law  of  the  Lord  altereth  not :"  it 


FROM    THE    WORLD.  27 

is  established  on  this  unchangeable  basis,  the  holi 
ness  of  Jehovah.  It  is  your  joy,  Christian,  to 
believe  in  its'  stability,  and  to  perform  its  require- 
ments ;  and  let  your  heart  exult  in  the  assurance, 
that  at  all  times,  and  in  every  possible  condition, 
to  obey  this  law  is  no  less  your  duty  than  your  in- 
terest, and  can  in  no  circumstance  or  relation  of 
life  in  which  you  may  be  placed,  be  otherwise 


CHAPTER  II. 

WORLDLINESS  IN  PRACTICE 


In  what  instances  believers  may  be  seduced  to  conform  to  worldly  practice* 
—Christians  not  inclined  to  flagrant  sin — Danger  of  conformity  in  desire  of 
applause — Fashion — Expense — Spending  of  time — Gaieties — Love  of  the 
world  incompatible  with  Christianity. 


"  For  on  earth 
Who  against  faith  and  conscience  can  be  heard 
Infallible  1    Yet  many  will  presume." 

It  may  be  useful  to  investigate  more  minutely 
the  subject  that  has  been  discussed  in  the  preced- 
ing chapter,  to  bring  it  home  to  ourselves,  and  to 
examine,  in  the  daily  occurrences  of  life,  in  what 
particular  instances  true  Christians  are  more  espe- 
cially tempted  to  conform  to  the  customs  and  usages 
which  prevail  among  the  worldly. 

Before  doing  so  we  may  remark,  that  believers 
are  not  inclined  to  the  commission  of  any  flagrant 
transgression  of  God's  law.  There  is  an  opposi- 
tion in  the  heart  that  is  renewed  by  His  Spirit,  to 
all  that  is  "  earthly,  sensual,  devilish."  We  are 
told  by  an  apostle,  that  those  who  have  obtained 
the  precious  faith  of  the  Gospel,  are  by  it  made 


WORLDLINESS    IN    PRACTICE.  29 

partakers  of  a  divine  nature,  having  escaped  the 
corruption  that  is  in  the  world  through  lust.*  The 
flesh  does  indeed  lust  against  the  Spirit,  but  the 
Spirit  likewise  lusteth  against  the  flesh,  and  is  con- 
trary to  it.  With  the  new  birth  there  is  a  repug- 
nance implanted  to  all  evil.  What  is  offensive  to 
God  is  odious  to  him  in  whom  faith  dwells.  And 
to  commit  sin  is  not  the  natural  bent  of  that  new  life 
which  Christ  imparts,  the  desires  and  affections  of 
which  are  decidedly  and  directly  opposed  to  it. 

Therefore,  in  adverting  to  the  risk  there  exists 
of  a  believer  in  Jesus  adopting  the  practices  of 
worldly  professors,  it  should  be  distinctly  under- 
stood, that  notorious  sin  is  not  that  against  which 
we  here  desire  especially  to  warn  him.  If  he  is 
betrayed,  through  the  remainder  of  corruption  which 
lurks  in  his  breast,  into  open  transgression  of  God's 
law,  it  must  be  the  source  of  unfeigned  grief  to  hib 
soul,  and  can  never  be  unknown  to  him.  Whereas 
the  dereliction  of  duty  to  which  we  refer,  is  of  the  cha- 
racter alluded  to  by  the  Prophet  Hosea,  "  Strangers 
have  devoured  his  strength,  and  he  knoweth  it  not ; 
yea,  grey  hairs  are  here  and  there  upon  him,  yet 
he  knoweth  it  not."f  It  is  something  blamewor- 
thy, that  may  be  practised  unthinkingly, — is  often 
an  almost  imperceptible  leaning  towards  what  is 
amiss.     It  may  be  done  from  the  desire  or  mis- 

«  2  Peter  i.  4.  t  Hosea  vii.  9. 

3* 


30  WORLDLINESS    IN    PRACTICE. 

taken  intention  of  doing  right,  and  is  scarcely  ever 
fairly  and  openly  admitted  by  the  Christian  himself 
to  be  wrong.  Were  he,  as  in  the  sight  of  God,  to 
sift  the  matter  impartially,  conviction  of  the  truth 
could  not  fail  to  be  the  result ;  but  this  he  does  not, 
deeming  the  subject,  in  all  likelihood,  unimportant, 
and  thus  he  errs,  where,  possibly,  he  is  not  aware 
of  being  defective,  and,  it  may  be,  least  suspects  it. 

In  what  especial  instances,  then,  is  a  wakeful 
attention  and  jealous  guard  incumbent  on  the 
Christian,  would  he  exhibit  the  life  of  godliness  in 
all  its  purity,  uncontaminated  not  merely  by  open 
sin,  but  by  the  practices  and  maxims  which  abound 
in  the  world,  and  which  are  indispensable  if  we  ex- 
amine them  by  the  religion  of  Christ ! 

There  is  an  universal  characteristic  among  the 
worldly,  which  is  contagious  in  its  nature,  and  very 
detrimental  to  the  life  of  godliness, — we  allude 
to  the  desire  of  human  applause  and  distinction. 
The  false  estimate  they  entertain  of  earthly  things, 
in  making  them  tjieir  chief  good,  induces  the  at 
tempt,  which  is  so  general  among  such  persons,  by 
some  means  to  be  distinguished  and  admired.  This 
wish  to  rise  above  their  compeers  may  be  detected 
in  every  sphere  and  degree  ;  and  although,  accord- 
ing to  the  line  in  life,  its  effects  may  be  seen  some- 
what different,  the  ambition,  in  the  highest  and  the 
lowest  rank,  to  eclipse  others,  is  the  same.  Why 
are  princes  courted,  and  why  is  the  company  of 


WORLDLINESS    IN    PRACTICE.  31 

the  great  and  the  noble  so  frequently  sought  ?  It 
is  not  that  there  is  any  love  inherent  in  man  for 
those  of  exalted  rank  and  quality,  or  that  there  is 
any  desire  natural  to  us  to  do  them  service  ;  but  it 
is  that  the  inferior,  as  satellites,  may  revolve  around 
and  shine  with  them.  To  what  can  we  ascribe 
the  eagerness  for  display  that  pervades  all  circles 
in  worldly  society ;  the  splendour  with  which  the 
houses,  the  tables,  the  equipages,  and  the  persons 
of  the  great  are  adorned  ;  and  the  equally  solicitous 
attempt  to  copy,  in  their  measure,  that  to  which 
they  cannot  attain,  which  the  subordinate  exhibit  ? 
We  can  alone  trace  this  turn  of  mind,  which  is  so 
common  among  men,  to  the  desire  of  being  thus 
honoured  and  distinguished.  And  where  is  the 
class  in  which  there  are  not  some  who  have  attain- 
ed this  fancied  superiority  ?  who  lord  it  over  others, 
and  to  whom  the  right,  as  matter  of  course,  is  ceded  ? 
In  every  little  circle  there  are  the  great  men,  and 
the  aspiring  group  who  imitate  them, — those  who 
lead,  and  those  who  follow. 

How  important  is  the  sentence  which  the  audi- 
tors of  fashion  award  to  the  most  successful  candi- 
date for  their  favour  !  How  arbitrary  is  their  deci 
sion  !  to  which  the  worldly,  in  every  station  of  life, 
bow.  For  fashion  is  not  confined  to  the  frivolous 
order,  who  exclusively  claim  to  rank  within -its 
limits ;  it  embraces  a  wide  range,  and  adapts  its 
laws  to  each  grade,  and  to  all  denominations  of  men. 


32  WORLDLINESS    IN    PRACTICE. 

And  what  is  fashion  ?  A  vapour,  a  whim,  which 
has  no  more  solid  foundation  than  the  bubbles  that 
rise  but  to  break.  It  is,  without  an  assignable 
reason,  that  which  pleases  some  to  adopt ;  and, 
without  any  rational  motive,  what  others  must 
therefore  copy.  Yet  this  phantom  is  the  idol  the 
world  worships,  and  the  desire  of  distinction  is  that 
which  prompts  to  the  follies, — may  they  not  often 
merit  a  harsher  term  ? — for  which  fashion  is  fre- 
quently made  the  pretext.  And  the  wish  for  the 
envious  regard  of  the  many,  or,  it  may  be,  of  the 
select  few  whose  notice  is  considered  worth  the 
engaging,  more  than  any  other  cause,  conduces  to 
form  the  characters  of  whom  we  write 

And  is  there  no  hazard,  Christian,  that  in  the 
society  of  such  persons,  you  will  imbibe  somewhat 
of  their  spirit  ?  Is  there  no  latent  desire  ever  to  be 
detected  in  youf  bosom  for  distinction,  for  display, 
for  the  pleasures  and  the  follies  of  the  world  ?  No 
tinder  which  is  ready  to  kindle  When  the  flame  is 
near  ?  No  predisposition  to  catch  the  malady  with 
which  others  are  infected,  that  may  render  the 
tainted  atmosphere  the  more  dangerous  ?  Would 
to  God  it  were  not  so  ! — that  at  all  times,  and  in 
every  circumstance,  the  believing  soul  could  rise 
superior  to  what  is  earthly ;  breathe,  as  it  were, 
purer  air ;  feel  as  on  the  confines  of  a  nobler  state 
of  existence  ;  and  next  to  inhabit  celestial  regions  ! 
But  all  who  have  known  the  power  of  godliness 


WORLDLINESS    IN    PRACTICE.  33 

will  sorrowfully  confess,  that  however  much  this 
may  be  their  desire,  that  however  at  favoured  mo- 
ments it  may  be  their  attainment,  yet  the  world  is 
a  snare  and  a  stumbling-block  in  their  path,  that 
when  necessitated  to  mix  in  its  society,  their  in- 
ability is  increased  to  "do  the  things  that  they 
would." 

It  is  necessary,  however,  to  be  more  specific, 
and  to  explain  the  worldly  practices  to  which  we 
allude,  and  against  which  we  would  guard  our 
Christian  brethren.  Is  that,  then,  never  expended 
by  the  believer  in  Jesus,  in  worldly  gratifications, 
which  might  have  been  devoted  to  the  glory  of  his 
Redeemer,  and  to  benefit  mankind  ?  And  is  he 
careful  to  redeem  from  superfluous  indulgences, 
what  might  be  appropriated  to  purposes  so  valua- 
ble ?  We  mean  not  that  those  blessings  which  his 
heavenly  Father  has  given  him,  consequent,  per- 
haps, on  the  sphere  in  which  he  is  placed,  should 
by  him  be  relinquished,  and  not  received  with 
thankfulness.  This  would  be  to  reverse  the  order 
of  things,  and  the  intention  of  Providence,  and 
cannot  be  a  duty  incumbent  on  any  one.  There 
is,  however,  little  need  for  warning  here  ;  for,  with 
scarcely  an  exception,  all  are  disposed  to  accept 
and  to  use  the  bounties  God  has  bestowed  upon 
them.  But  we  allude  to  the  usual  concomitants  of 
a  worldly  spirit ;  the  decoration,  the  splendour,  the 
pride  of  life,  in  which  the  rich  of  this  class  indulge, 


34  WORLDLINESS    IN    PRACTICE. 

and  for  which  the  poorer  classes  among  them  strive. 
Every  man,  without  difficulty,  may  judge  for  him- 
self, whether  an  ambition  to  shine  is  productive  in 
him  of  an  elegance  of  embellishment,  which,  if  not 
greater  than  his  circumstances  may  warrant,  is  at 
least  greater  than  religion  permits.  Cannot  we 
discriminate  between  that  which  our  heavenly 
Father  designs  we  should  enjoy,  and  those  extrava- 
gancies which  are  only  calculated  to  attract  the 
gaze  and  the  envy  of  our  fellow-men  ?  Cannot  we 
distinguish  between  what  is  reasonable  in  itself, 
and  essential  to  our  comfort,  and  what  bears  the 
stamp  of  earth's  gaudy  show,  and  the  glitter  of  the 
world's  parade  ?  He.that  would  lead  a  life  of  holi- 
ness must  not  allow  the  suspicion,  however  ground- 
less, to  be  attached  to  him,  that  he  seeks  by  vain- 
glorious display  the  admiring  glance  of  the  multi- 
tude. His  whole  demeanour  should  evidence,  that 
the  pomps  and  vanities  of  life  have,  in  his  view, 
lost  their  power  to  charm  ;  and  a  doubt  should 
never  be  allowed  to  arise  in  the  breast  of  an  indi- 
vidual, that  the  Christian's  heart  and  treasure  are 
in  heaven.  And  there  in  truth  they  are.  The 
mind  of  a  believer  is  not  constituted  like  that  of  the 
mere  worldly  professor ;  and  if  he  is  led  inadver- 
tently to  adopt  what  others  practise,  on  calm  reflec- 
tion his  better  judgment  regards  the  folly  in  its  just 
light,  and  his  genuine  inclinations  renounce  the 
world  in  whatever  shape  its  temptations  may  allure. 


WORLDLINESS    IN    PRACTICE.  35 

Yes,  the  new  nature  which  he  has  received  from 
God,  maintains  the  ascendency  in  him  over  all  that 
is  earthly,  and  proof  shall  not  be  wanting,  in  his 
general  conduct,  that  the  world  is  a  vanquished 
foe. 

The  manner  in  which  time  is  spent  is  another 
form  in  which  the  practices  of  the  worldly  are 
ready  to  delude.  Time  is  a  talent  bestowed  upon 
us  for  very  valuable  purposes.  It  is  short-lived 
and  fleeting.  We  are  commanded  to  redeem  it. 
A  few,  a  very  few,  days  or  years  are  given  us,  that 
we  may  improve  them  for  the  benefit  of  our  fellow- 
men  while  here,  and  that  we  may  prepare  for  that 
better  country,  to  participate  in  the  joys  of  which 
the  Christian  is  formed.  The  worldly  make  no 
account  of  the  invaluable  -boon,  unless  as  it  is  the 
medium  of  increasing  their  wealth,  or  of  affording 
them  enjoyment  by  the  various  methods  in  which 
they  take  delight.  No  thought  of  responsibility 
ever  occurs  to  them  for  the  way  in  which  their  time 
is  spent, — no  thought  of  the  consequences  of  mis- 
pending  it  ever  obtrudes.  If  there  is  nothing  ab- 
solutely wicked  in  what  they  do,  in  their  opinion 
all  is  well.  Thus,  hour  after  hour  is  frittered  away 
in  what  is  useless,  at  least,  as  it  respects  eternity  ; 
and  when  time  with  them  shall  cease,  there  will  be 
no  portion  of  it  to  which  they  can  refer,  as  the 
period  when  God  was  sought  and  heaven  won. 

A  believer  in  Jesus,  it  is  true,  cannot,  in  these 


36  WORLDLINESS    IN    PRACTICE. 

respects,  resemble  the  worldly ;  and  yet  even  he 
may  learn,  from  example,  a  careless,  trifling  frame, 
which  would  seem  little  to  appreciate  the  value  of 
his  flying  years.  He  may  do  something,  and  yet 
much  less  than  he  might,  for  the  cause  of  God,  the 
interests  of  his  own  soul,  and  the  souls  of  others. 
He,  too,  may  seemingly  forget  that  responsibility 
attaches  to  him  for  the  manner  in  which  his  days 
are  passed,  and,  for  a  period  at  least,  it  may  require 
a  nice  discernment  to  distinguish,  in  this  point,  be- 
tween the  disciple  of  Christ  and  the  ungodly.  May 
not  a  believer  be  tempted  to  prolong  seasons  of 
amusement,  in  themselves  perhaps  innocent,  till 
the  waste  of  time  renders  them  guilty  ?  Nay,  far- 
ther may  he  not  be  tempted,  by  intercourse  with 
the  worldly,  to  join  in  amusements  which  are  un- 
doubtedly hurtful,  and  of  which,  on  considering 
the  subject  he  would  decidedly  disapprove  ?  There 
are  entertainments  in  which  it  is  difficult  to  con- 
vince the  worldly  (to  use  their  own  phrase,)  there 
can  be  any  harm.  They  will  attend  them  nearly 
at  each  successive  return  of  the  hours  usually  de- 
voted to  repose,  thus  turning  night  into  day,  and 
often  impairing  their  health  and  sinking  their  spirit, 
and  yet  inquire  wherein  is  the  harm  ?  We  have 
been  amusingly  asked,  did  the  evil  of  evening  en- 
tertainments consist  in  the  lights  ?  But  let  such 
characters  become  seriously  impressed  with  reli- 
gion, and  they  will  soon  detect  where  the  harm  lies. 


WORLDLINESS    IN    PRACTICE.  37 

They  will  then  learn  to  prize  time  as  a  precious 
gift,  and  they  will  experience,  that  to  redeem  it  is 
impossible,  if  the  night  be  devoted  to  folly,  and 
perhaps  half  the  day  to  sleep.  Were  there  no 
other  reason  that  could  be  advanced,  to  prove  that 
the  gaieties  of  life  arc  indefensible  on  Christian 
principles  than  the  waste  of  time,  this  alone  were 
sufficient. 

But  there  is  a  stronger  motive  to  deter  a  child 
of  God  from  joining  in  the  midnight  assembly, — 
the  incompatibility  of  sucli  practices  with  devotion. 
The  attempt  need  only  be  made,  and  conviction 
must  ensue,  that  to  raise  the  heart  to  the  Divine 
Being,  in  prayer  or  praise,  shortly  before,  or  soon 
after  mixing  with  the  giddy  throng,  is  scarcely 
possible ;  that  the  Word  of  Inspiration,  if  then 
read,  becomes  like  a  sealed  book  ;  that  at  such  a 
time  its  lessons  cease  to  instruct,  and  its  promises 
to  comfort.  And  thus  the  devotional  duties  of  the 
evening  and  of  the  morning  become,  if  performed 
at  all,  but  lip  service,  and  the  soul  is  defrauded  of 
its  spiritual  meals. 

And  can  the  Christian  consent  to  this?  Will 
he  compound  to  possess  the  world's  pleasures,  and 
to  lose  those  for  which  he  is  athirst  ?  It  cannot 
be.  He  that  knows  the  joy  of  communion  with 
God,  feels  that  emptiness  is  inscribed  on  earth's 
gay  scenes, — that  even  were  they  not  detrimental 
to  him,  they  are  tasteless  and  worthless.     But  he 

4 


38  WORLDLINESS    IN    PRACTICE. 

likewise  experiences  that,  yielding  no  satisfaction 
in  themselves,  they  rob  him  of  the  pure  delights 
which  satisfy  ;  that  they  give  him  nothing  and  take 
all ;  that,  falsely  called  pleasure,  they  deprive  him 
of  its  reality. 

It  has,  however,  been  observed,  that  the  Chris- 
tian may  be  so  circumstanced,  as  to  be  induced  to 
join  in  such  circles,  or  that  he  may  do  so  from  in- 
consideration.  We  should  be  sorry  to  denounce 
all  as  unbelievers  who  are  to  be  found  in  the 
world's  gay  assemblies.  Very  differently  situated 
are  the  disciples  of  Christ,  and  of  the  trials  to 
which  a  portion  of  them  are  exposed,  the  rest,  pos- 
sibly, have  no  conception.  The  manner  in  which 
they  have  been  educated,  may  lead  some  believers 
to  view  such  scenes  in  a  more  favorable  light,  and 
to  conceive  of  them  as  innocent;  and  necessity 
may  oblige  others  to  be  much  more  in  all  sorts  of 
worldly  society  than  their  inclinations  dictate.  Yet, 
let  it  be  distinctly  understood,  that  the  inclination 
of  the  Christian  can  never  go  with  him,  if  he  joins 
in  the  gaieties  of  the  world.  In  such  fellowship  a 
spiritual  mind  cannot  take  pleasure ;  and  sooner  or 
later  the  believer  in  Jesus  will  discover,  that 
worldly  society  is  the  bane  of  his  religion,  and  is 
destructive  of  his  peace.  Therefore  he  will  shun 
that  intercourse,  if  it  is  in  his  power  to  do  so, 
which  he  finds  is  opposed  to  his  eternal  interests, 
and   to   his   truest  joy.      Should   any   professing 


WORLDLINESS    IN    PRACTICE.  39 

Christian,  into  whose  hands  these  pages  may  fall, 
feel  in  himself  a  wish  to  form  excuses  for  a  com- 
pliance with  worldly  practices,  which  he  may 
without  difficulty  avoid,  let  him  recollect  that  thus 
he  shows  decided  symptoms  of  a  worldly  spirit, 
which  is  completely  inimical  to  real  religion.  Let 
him  examine,  without  delay,  the  grounds  of  his 
hope,  and  the  sincerity  of  his  profession,  nor  rest 
satisfied  till  it  is  evidenced,  by  the  heavenliness  of 
his  desires,  and  his  separation  in  heart,  and,  in  his 
case,  in  conduct,  from  the  world.  And  let  him  re- 
member that  it  is  written,  "  If  any  man  love  the 
world,  the  love  of  the  Father  is  not  in  him."* 
These  are  the  words  of  inspiration ;  therefore, 
however  propensities  to  delight  in  the  gaieties  of 
time  may  be  palliated  before  men,  nothing  can  be 
more  certain,  than  that  equally  with  open  sin,  they 
mark  a  man  unrenewed  in  the  spirit  of  his  mind, 
and  unconverted  to  God. 

*  1  John,  ii.  15. 


CHAPTER  III. 

THE  CHRISTIAN  SABBATH. 


The  Sabbath  misspent — Blessedness  of  the  institution — Manner  in  which 
tbe  Worldly  spend  it — Objection  answered — Christians  hail  the  return  of 
the  Sabbath — Topics  that  on  that  day  pass  under  their  review — Other 
dutiea  of  it — Connection  between  the  Sabbath  and  the  Week — Rest  in 
God — Temptations  through  intercourse  with  the  world — Prayer  recom- 
mended. 


"  It  is  not  only  in  the  sacred  fane 
That  homage  should  be  paid  to  the  Most  High, — 
There  is  a  temple,  one  not  made  with  hands, 
The  vaulted  firmament :  Far  in  the  woods 
Almost  beyond  the  sound  of  city  chime, 
At  intervals,  heard  through  the  breezeless  air, 
When  not  the  limberest  leaf  is  seen  to  move. 
Save  where  the  linnet  lights  upon  the  spray ; 
Where  not  a  flow'ret  bends  its  little  stalk, 
Save  where  the  bee  alights  upon  the  bloom ; 
There  wrapt  in  gratitude,  in  joy,  and  love, 
The  man  of  God  will  pass  the  Sabbath  noon ; 
Silence  his  praise:  his  disembodied  thoughts, 
Loos'd  from  the  load  of  words,  will  high  ascend 
Beyond  the  empyreal. " 

In  noticing  how  time  is  lavished  by  the  worldly, 
it  would  be  unpardonable  to  omit  a  portion  of  it 
which  they  uniformly  misspend,  in  direct  opposi- 
tion to  the  revealed  will  of  God, — we  allude  to  the 
manner  in  which  they  pass  the  Sabbath.  A  sev- 
enth part  of  our  time,  the  Great  Lawgiver  has 
apportioned  to  himself;  in  it  we  are  commanded 


THE    CHRISTIAN    SABBATH.  41 

to  rest  from  worldly  employments  and  amusements ; 
and  the  worship  of  God,  and  making  preparation 
for  eternity,  we  are  informed,  is  to  constitute  its 
peculiar  business.  Were  this  law  arbitrary,  and 
could  we  discern  no  reason  for  its  promulgation 
but  God  so  wills  it,  still,  as  the  creatures  of  his 
hand,  we  should  be  bound  to  obedience.  But, 
truly,  "  the  Sabbath  was  made  for  man ;"  our  in- 
terest and  our  duty  were  never  more  closely  united 
than  in  the  keeping  of  this  divine  law.  It  is  or- 
dained to  gild  our  earthly  pilgrimage  with  a  few 
rays  of  celestial  light.  It  is  that  day  in  which 
God  designs,  and  has  pledged  himself  to  bestow 
his  best  gifts  on  mankind.  In  every  season,  and 
at  all  times,  he  gives  grace  and  glory,  and  with- 
holds no  good  thing  from  them  who  walk  upright- 
ly :  but  on  this  day,  he  profusely  scatters  blessed- 
ness ;  and  redemption  with  all  its  fruits,  and  heaven 
with  all  its  joys,  are,  on  it,  pressed  upon  our  ac- 
ceptance. And  whether  in  the  closet,  or  in  the 
sanctuary,  His  believing-  people  can  unite  their 
testimony,  that  God  "  blessed  the  Sabbath  day." 

And  how  is  this  part  of  their  time  generally 
spent  by  worldly  men?  There  are  some  of  this 
character  who  make  no  pretense  to  religion,  who 
pay  no  attention  to  its  sacred  rites,  and  who  pro- 
fess themselves  regardless  of  its  services.  These 
persons  make  it  sufficiently  plain,  that  they  are 
not  the  followers  of  Christ.     They  declare  as  em- 

4* 


42  THE    CHRISTIAN    SABBATH. 

phatically  as  if  they  uttered  it  in  words,  that  they 
will  not  reverence  the  Sabbath-day.  In  them  the 
Christian  cannot  be  deceived,  and,  therefore,  from 
their  example  there  is  the  less  danger. 

But  there  are  others,  who  avow  themselves  dis- 
posed to  serve  God,  and  to  respect  the  institutions 
of  the  gospel,  yet  whose  religion  is  confined  to  a 
few  external  acts,  the  principal  of  which  is  the  at- 
tendance on  public  worship  during  some  part  of 
the  Sabbath.  By  their  conduct  we  should  be  in- 
clined to  imagine,  that  they  conceived  the  fourth 
commandment  enjoined  little  else  than  once  or 
twice,  on  the  return  of  the  sacred  day,  to  meet  to- 
gether in  the  house  of  prayer,  so  completely  are 
its  remaining  hours  robbed  of  their  sanctity.  Were 
the  full  extent  of  the  injunction,  to  remember  the 
ordinances  of  religion  to  keep  them  holy,  they 
would  outwardly  act  in  conformity  to  it ;  this, 
however,  seems  all  that  they  are  disposed  to  allow 
the  precept  requires  ;  and  an  entire  day  to  be  de- 
voted to  religious  exercises  is  quite  beyond  their 
reckoning. 

Perhaps  we  may  be  told  that,  in  other  respects, 
they  observe  the  Sabbath-day.  That  on  it  their 
dependants  do  no  laborious  work.  That  on  this 
day  those  occupations,  of  which  the  chief  object 
is  to  amuse,  are  laid  aside.  That  the  song  or  the 
dance,  they  conceive  to  be  incompatible  with  its 
requirements.     That   their  instruments   of  music 


THE    CHRISTIAN    SABBATH.  43 

are  silent;  and  the  chase,  and  the  field,  or  the 
cards  and  the  dice,  are,  on  this  day,  not  resorted 
to. 

Happy  it  is  for  Britain,  truly,  that  these  and 
similar  amusements  and  vanities,  are  frequently 
deemed,  even  by  the  worldly,  incompatible  with 
the  design  of  the  Sabbath  !  Happy  is  it  for  high- 
ly favoured  Scotland,  that  there,  in  an  especial 
manner,  the  line  of  distinction  in  outward  decency 
of  conduct  between  the  Sabbath  and  the  rest  of 
the  week,  cannot  be  encroached  upon  with  impu- 
nity !  To  our  excellent  legislature  we  are  in  part 
indebted  for  these  proprieties ;  and  partly  to  the 
influence  of  a  religious  principle,  even  where  it 
does  not  exist  in  its  genuine  power,  consequent  on 
the  full  blaze  of  Christian  light  with  which  our 
land  is  blessed. 

But,  let  us  not  be  deceived  by  these  fair  appear- 
ances ;  with  the  exception  already  noticed,  of  the 
short  time  that  public  worship,  or,  it  may  be,  the 
reading  of  some  devotional  treatise  occupies,  it  is 
only  by  changing  one  worldly  employment  for  an- 
other, that  the  greater  proportion  of  this  class 
observe  the  hallowed  day.  There  are,  in  fact, 
privileged  acts  which  are  considered  by  them- al- 
lowable, and  not  to  be  condemned  as  contrary  to 
the  spirit  of  the  Sabbath.  To  these  they  gladly 
resort;  and  while  visiting  their  friends,  reading 
newspapers,  writing  letters,  and  many  other  unne- 


44  THE    CHRISTIAN    SABBATH. 

cessary  concerns,  conceive  that  they  are  entitled 
to  be  exempted  from  all  censure.  From  what  au- 
thority it  is  deduced  that  these  deeds  are  allowable, 
we  are  at  a  loss  to  determine. 

There  are,  in  some  instances,  nice  shades  of 
discrimination  drawn  between  the  Sabbath's  law- 
ful and  forbidden  occupations,  according  to  the 
creed  of  this  class  of  men.  Vehicles  of  all  de- 
scriptions, for  instance,  seem,  as  it  were,  licensed 
to  be  in  constant  requisition  for  recreation  on  the 
Sabbath  in  some  circles,  where,  nevertheless,  the 
same  profanation  of  its  sacred  hours  in  the  barge 
or  the  yacht,  would  not  be  deemed  admissible. 
We  are  glad  that  a  restriction  exists  in  any  case, 
but  why  it  should  be  confined  to  the  one  more  than 
to  the  other,  remains  to  be  explained.  Or,  to 
spend  the  Sabbath  in  secular  business,  is  justly  be- 
lieved to  be  a  dereliction  of  duty,  by  some  worldly 
men,  who  do  not,  however,  scruple  to  devote  it  to 
travelling  or  company,  thereby  depriving  others, 
as  well  as  themselves,  of  the  benefits  arising  from 
its  institution. 

And  here  we  may  anticipate  the  reply  that  has 
so  often  been  made  to  such  animadversions  :  That 
it  is  impossible  to  devote  the  whole  day  to  reli- 
gion ;  and  that,  therefore,  the  commandment  must 
be  understood  with  limitation.  True  it  is,  that 
creatures  depraved  in  heart,  and  prone  to  evil,  can- 
not keep  this,  or  any  other  divine  law  perfectly ; 


THE    CHRISTIAN    SABBATH.  45 

and,  having  done  our  best,  we  are  still  unprofitable 
servants,  and  deficient  and  worthless  is  our  obedi- 
ence. How  are  our  religious  services  defiled  by 
distraction  of  thought,  by  worldliness  of  mind,  by 
defectiveness  in  practice  !  Yet,  there  is  a  possi- 
bility of  obeying  this  commandment  in  such  a 
manner  as  God  will  in  mercy  accept ;  and,  that  the 
souls  which  he  has  formed,  will  thereby  grow  in 
assimilation  to  himself,  and  in  meetness  for  that 
heavenly  inheritence  which  awaits  the  children  of 
his  kingdom.  There  is  such  a  thing  as  "  not  doing 
our  own  ways,  nor  finding  our  own  pleasure,  nor 
speaking  our  own  words  on  this  holy  day,  but  call- 
ing the  Sabbath  a  delight,  the  holy  of  the  Lord, 
and  honourable." 

Thus  the  believing  disciples  of  Jesus  desire  and 
aim  to  pass  these  hallowed  hours  ;  and  amidst  the 
fairure  which  is  inseparable  from  our  fallen  state, 
thus,  by  the  grace  of  God,  in  some  measure  they 
do  spend  the  sabbath-day.  On  it  the  ordinances 
of  religion  are  by  them  observed,  not  as  meritorious 
acts  entitling  them  to  the  favour  of  the  Most  High, 
but  as  appointed  means,  which,  when  divinely 
blessed,  enrich  the  soul  with  spiritual  life.  Far 
from  conceiving  of  the  Sabbath  as  burdensome, 
they  hail  its  return  as  a  privilege,  knowing  that  it 
is  designed  to  bring  them  nearer  to  their  chief  good. 
To  seek  after  God  is  as  natural  to  an  awakened 
mind  as  it  is  for  the  weary  to  seek  for  repose,  or 


46  THE    CHRISTIAN    SABBATH. 

the  famished  for  food.  Like  these,  the  Christian 
feels  his  necessity.  How  much  to  be  desired,  then, 
is  that  day,  when  he  is  more  especially  invited  to 
obtain  relief.  On  it  other  needful  cares  may  war- 
rantably  be  laid  aside,  and  he  rejoices  to  be  justifi- 
ed in  dropping  earth's  solicitudes  for  a  time,  and 
in  looking  more  fixedly  on  his  heavenly  hopes,  and 
yielding  himself  more  unreservedly  to  heavenly 
employments. 

Various  are  the  topics  which  pass  under  his  re- 
view in  public  and  in  private  on  the  Sabbath-day, 
but  one  subject  runs  throughout,  and  is  connected 
with  them  all,  the  incomprehensible  greatness  of 
redeeming  love  !  United  with  this,  he  fears  not  to 
see  the  impurity  with  which  his  nature  is  stained, 
and  the  deformity  of  his  best,  his  immortal  part, 
for  with  the  bane  he  beholds  the  antidote.  United 
with  this,  the  burden  of  sorrow  is  lessened ;  and 
through  the  darkest  shades  of  his  earthly  pilgrim- 
age light  shines.  United  with  this,  death  is  robbed 
of  its  sting,  and  the  grave  of  its  victory.  They 
are  disarmed  of  power  to  hurt,  and  are  transformed 
(thanks  be  to  God)  into  blessings  !  Wondrous  love  . 
whence  does  it  originate  ? — Not  in  the  creature,  for 
there  is  nothing  in  us  to  excite  it.  "  All  together 
are  become  filthy  :  there  is  none  that  doeth  good,  no, 
not  one."  But  hear,  O  heavens,  and  give  ear,  O 
earth ;  let  the  sound  vibrate  from  shore  to  shore, 
the  love  of  Jehovah  to  his  redeemed  people  origi- 


THE    CHRISTIAN    SABBATH.  47 

nates  in  Himself.  "  I  have  loved  thee  with  an 
everlasting  love ;  therefore,  with  loving-kindness 
have  I  drawn. thee."*  "The  mercy  of  the  Lord  is 
from  everlasting  to  everlasting  upon  them  that  fear 
him."t  "The  Lord  loved  Israel  for  ever?%  And 
if  this  marvellous  love  be  by  God  bestowed  on 
beings  in  whom  there  is  nothing  lovely,  nothing  to 
attract  it,  who  shall  hinder,  what  can  change  it  ? 
"  I  am  the  Lord,  I  change  not ;  therefore,  ye  sons 
of  Jacob  are  not  consumed."  Wondrous  love  ! 
what  are  thine  effects  ? — They  are  infinite  as  their 
source, — where  shall  we  limit  them  ?  On  earth, 
the  effects  of  divine  love  have  been  prominently 
seen  in  redemption.  What  but  love  could  have 
induced  the  High  and  the  Holy  One,  that  inhabit- 
eth  eternity,  to  become  man,  to  sojourn  with  sin- 
ners, and,  by  a  life  spent  among  wretched  guilty 
worms,  to  prepare  for  them  a  robe  of  unspotted 
righteousness  ?  What  but  love  could  have  led  Him, 
"for  whom  are  all  things,  and  by  whom  are  all 
things,"  to  consent  to  be  forsaken  of  the  Eternal, 
who  was  one  with  himself  from  everlasting,  and 
to  endure  the  unknown  agonies  of  Gethsemane 
and  Calvary  for  mortals  1  Irresistible  is  the  apos- 
tle's conclusion,  "  herein  is  love!"  But,  is  divine 
love  exhausted  here  ? — No ;  its  breadth,  and 
length,    and   depth,    and    height,    are    inexhaust- 

•  Jer.  xxxi.  3.  t  Psal.  ciii.  17.  %  1  Kings  x.  9. 


48  THE    CHRISTIAN    SABBATH. 

ible  !  Redemption,  indeed,  proves  its  extent,  but 
stops  not  its  current.  It  shall  flow  on  uninterrupt- 
edly and  eternally,  beautifying  and  enriching  the 
objects  on  whom  it  rests  !  How  noble  is  the  effect 
of  divine  love  in  th  transformation  of  the  human 
heart  from  sin  t  „  Holiness  !  This  effect  is  likewise 
seen  on  earth  ;  but,  O  how  conspicuously  and  glori- 
ously shall  it  appear  in  heaven  !  This  is  a  work 
worthy  of  the  finger  of  God,  and  which  God  him- 
self alone  can  produce  :  and  it  is  certainly,  and  in- 
variably, the  proof  of  divine  love.  Is  the  soul 
deadened  to  the  vanities  of  time,  and  alive  to  the 
infinite  importance  of  things  unseen  and  eternal ; 
humbled  on  account  of  sin,  and  striving  to  fulfil  the 
whole  will  of  God  ;  seeking  to  obtain  salvation 
from  the  wratli  to  come  through  the  blood  of  the 
everlasting  covenant,  and  growing  in  grace,  and  in 
the  knowledge  of  our  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus 
Christ  ?  no  other  evidence  is  necessary  to  prove, 
that  upon  this  individual  the  love  of  God  abides, 
for  here  the  workmanship  of  God  is  visible.  All 
created  intelligences  are  unequal  to  the  task  of  re- 
newing a  soul  dead  in  trespasses  and  in  sins  ;  with 
God  only  this  is  possible.  And  where  it  is  effected, 
even  in  the  smallest  degree,  God  hath  wrought  it, 
and  they  are  the  souls  whom  he  loves,  that  he  justi- 
fies, sanctifies,  and  glorifies,  "  according  to  the 
riches  of  his  grace." 

What  the  effects  of  the  love  of  God  shall  ever- 


THE    CHRISTIAN    SABBATH.  49 

lastingly  be  to  his  people,  none  can  tell ;  but  this 
we  do  know,  that  they  must  be  immeasurably  pre- 
cious. When  omnipotence  and  perfect  wisdom 
unite  to  produce  an  effect,  that  which  is  thus  pro- 
duced, must  be  transcendently  estimable.  In  this 
world  when  God  works,  either  in  nature  or  in 
grace,  we  discern  the  operation  of  his  hands  by  the 
wisdom  and  the  beauty  with  which  his  work  is 
fashioned.  And  is  our  earth  the  only  theatre 
where  the  attributes  of  the  Eternal  are  displayed  ? 
Rather,  is  not  what  we  have  seen  and  known  of 
God's  wisdom,  power,  and  love,  but  like  the  first 
fruits  we  have  tasted,  of  what  shall  eternally  be  the 
source  of  our  wonder,  joy,  and  praise  !  "  Blessed 
shall  they  be  who  are  called  to  the  marriage  sup- 
per of  the  Lamb :"  yea,  blessed,  inexpressibly 
"  blessed,  is  the  nation  whose  God  is  the  Lord." 

How  unspeakably  valuable,  then,  is  divine  love  ! 
Oh  !  believer,  prize  it !  God  rests  in  his  love  ;# 
rest  thou  in  it  likewise.  Seek  no  other  portion. 
Let  God  be  your  all,  and  your  "  exceeding  great 
reward  !" 

It  is  to  these,  and  such  subjects,  that  the  atten- 
tion of  the  Christian  is  more  especially  directed  on 
the  Sabbath-day.  And  who  will  maintain  that 
there  is  uselessness,  that  there  is  austerity,  in  the 
command  thus  to  spend  it  ?     Who  will  say  that  it  is 

•  Zeph.  iii.  17. 
5 


50  THE    CHRISTIAN    SABBATH. 

not  alike  the  source  of  consolation,  as  of  improve- 
ment, to  devote  its  hours  to  the  acquisition  of  the 
knowledge  of  God  and  his  holy  will,  to  thanksgiving 
for  invaluable  privileges,  and  to  preparation  for  eter- 
nal blessedness  ?  There  are  other  duties  which 
properly  belong  to  the  Sabbath,  such  as  the  religious 
instruction  of  our  families  and  dependants  ;  and  the 
endeavour  to  alleviate  the  sufferings  of  the  sick  and 
the  sorrowful.  But  unless  the  day  be  dedicated 
to  its  peculiar  work,  it  may  almost  be  affirmed, 
that  religion  cannot  exist  in  the  soul,  and  that  it 
will  wither  and  die  with  the  disuse  of  these  sacred 
exercises. 

How  intimate  is  the  connection  between  a  Sab- 
bath that  has  been  spent  in  the  immediate  presence 
of  God,  and  with  an  heart  more  than  usually  im- 
pressed by  its  solemn  services,  and  the  days  that 
follow  during  the  week  !  If  the  duties  of  the  Sab- 
bath be  performed  in  a  cold  and  formal  manner, 
religious  feeling  does  not  speedily  recover  its  tone. 
But  if  this  hallowed  day  be  devoutly  observed, 
piety  is  strengthened  and  invigorated,  and  the 
effects  are  experienced  by  the  Christian  in  aug- 
menting his  faith,  in  deepening  his  love,  and  in 
cherishing  in  his  heart  hope,  and  jojr,  and  trust, 
and  all  the  fruits  of  the  Spirit. 

What  reason  is  there  for  gratitude  to  God  that 
he  instituted  the  Sabbath  !  Blessed  day !  The 
very  name  imports  rest !     And  the  nearer  that  we 


THE    CHRISTIAN    SABBATH.  51 

approach  to  the  end  of  its  institution,  the  greater  is 
the  rest  and  peace  its  solemn  hours  afford.  They 
are,  when  thus  employed,  more  separate  from  the 
influence  of  earth's  vanities,  than  the  other  portions 
of  our  time  can  be.  The  soul  rises,  is  elevated 
above. the  sordid  taint  which  so  naturally  cleaves 
to  us.  Heaven  seems  nearer  and  more  to  be  de- 
sired,— the  world  less  ensnaring,  and  more  beneath 
our  regard.  The  design  of  the  Sabbath  is  to  bring 
us  to  God,  and  when  God  is  present,  blessedness 
naturally  follows.  In  Him  the  soul  can  rest,  it 
cannot  in  aught  besides.  It  feels,  that  having 
found  the  centre  of  attraction,  no  other  need  be 
sought,  for  satisfaction  dwells  there.  It  looks  no 
higher,  for  higher  it  cannot  look.  What  can  the 
soul  desire  that  infinite  perfection  cannot  supply  1 
In  all  other  good  there  lacks  something  to  com- 
plete the  felicity — in  the  infinitude  of  the  Eternal 
Jehovah,  nothing. 

Thus  the  rest  of  the  Sabbath  is  not  only  a  rest 
from  worldly  engagements  and  recreations,  but  it 
is  a  rest  in  God :  a  day  devoted  to  the  attainment 
of  a  more  fixed  reliance  upon  him  as  the  joy  and 
portion  of  the  soul,  and  to  acquiring  a  more  im- 
plicit trust  in  all  that  he  has  promised,  and  a  more 
unreserved  satisfaction  in  all  that  he  is,  and  ever 
shall  be. 

How  false,  then,  is  the  allegation,  that  the  Sab- 
bath is   burdensome, — that   the    Christian   would 


52  THE    CHRISTIAN    SABBATH. 

gladly  relax  from  its  rigour  if  he  dare, — that  if  it 
were  not  for  the  penalty  to  be  incurred,  he  would 
spend  it  as  do  others.  On  the  contrary,  knowing 
from  experience  that,  when  devoutly  observed,  it  is 
frequently  blessed  as  the  means  of  increasing  his 
graces,  and  of  soothing  his  sorrows,  it  is  that  day, 
which,  by  the  Christian,  is  more  especially  prized  ; 
and  his  deep  regret  only  arises  that  the  end  of  its 
institution  is  so  inadequately  answered  by  him. 
He  would,  if  he  could,  spend  it  as  an  angel  from 
heaven  might  be  supposed  to  do,  were  he  on  earth  ; 
but  in  the  keeping  of  this  commandment,  as  in  that 
of  all  others,  defect  and  defilement  pervade,  and 
his  hope  for  the  acceptance  of  services  so  impure, 
rests  on  the  righteousness  and  the  atonement  of 
his  risen  Lord. 

Being  persuaded,  however,  of  the  benefit  and 
the  blessedness  resulting  from  the  observance  of 
the  Sabbath,  can  the  believer  in  Jesus  be  found 
guilty  of  neglecting  to  improve  its  hallowed  hours 
for  the  important  purposes  for  which  it  was  insti- 
tuted ?  Or  can  there  be  a  risk  here  too,  that  the 
society  of  the  worldly  may  prove  detrimental  ?  Let 
the  disciples  of  Christ  testify.  Alas  !  they  may — 
they  too  often  do  fail  in  the  entire  observation  of 
the  Sabbath  as  a  day  of  spiritual  rest ;  and  associa- 
tion with  worldly  men  is  unhappily  an  impediment 
to  the  fulfilment,  and  a  temptation  to  the  careless 
performance  of  the  devotional  duties  then  required. 


THE    CHRISTIAN    SABBATH.  53 

The  open  profanation  of  this  day  by  the  irreligi- 
ous and  the  wicked,  lias,  it  is  true,  no  other  effect 
on  the  mind  of  a  Christian  than  that  of  pity  for 
their  folly,  and  of  sorrow  for  their  crime.  And 
there  can  be  no  temptation  to  a  child  of  God  to 
imitate  what  is  so  flagrant  a  violation  of  the  divine 
command.  But,  to  suppose  an  instance  of  fre- 
quent occurrence.  In  the  family  circle  there  may 
be  many  members  who  know  not  God,  and  who 
merely  observe  the  Sabbath,  as  at  the  beginning  of 
this  chapter  it  has  been  described,  by  occasional, 
or  even  by  stated  attendance  on  public  worship, 
with  little  else  to  mark  it  from  the  rest  of  the  week. 
Yet,  here  there  may  be  an  individual,  who  not 
nominally,  but  in  truth,  is  the  disciple  of  Jesus,  and 
whose  sincere  desire  it  is  to  fulfil  the  whole  law  of 
God,  and  to  keep  holy  the  Sabbath-day.  Is  there 
nothing  to  cool  the  fervency  of  his  devotion,  no- 
thing to  damp  the  life  with  which  his  religious  du- 
ties might  have  been  performed,  from  the  circum- 
stance that  no  sympathetic  emotions  are  found  in  any 
one  with  whom  he  is  more  immediately  connected, 
to  strengthen  what  is  weak,  and  to  confirm  what 
is  heavenly  ?  If  alone  and  in  retirement,  this  be- 
liever seeks  and  finds  his  God, — if  in  the  house  of 
prayer,  his  soul  rises  with  Christ,  and  unseen  reali- 
ties seem  present, — how  are  his  feelings  deadened, 
and  how  does  his  religion  die,  when  he  mixes  with 
those  among  whom  he  dwells,  whose  perceptions 

5* 


54  THE    CHRISTIAN    SABBATH. 

of  divine  truth  are  so  little  congenial,  and  whose 
conversation  tends  to  obliterate  every  impression 
that  had  been  produced  on  his  mind,  either  in  the 
closet  or  in  the  sanctuary  ? 

When  such  an  effect  follows  the  Christian's  in- 
tercourse with  the  worldly,  energy  fails.  To  will 
is,  indeed,  present  with  him,  but  how  to  'perform 
is  the  difficulty.  And  the  happy  frame  of  mind  he 
had  enjoyed  may  be  succeeded  by  an  inaptitude  to 
seek  the  exalted  and  ennobling  pleasures  of  com- 
munion with  Jehovah,  and  it  is  well  if  in  no  degree 
the  believer's  practice  is  likewise  influenced  by  the 
example  before  him. 

There  is  another  instance,  painful  indeed  to 
dwell  upon,  and  yet  true,  where  worldliness  in 
others  may  be  productive  of  much  injury  to  that 
spirituality  of  feeling  which  the  children  of  God 
earnestly  desire  to  cultivate.  Among  those  who 
minister  in  sacred  things,  some  there  are  whose 
hearts  are  little  in  unison  with  their  office.  In 
these  the  fervour  of  devotion  dwells  not ;  their  lips 
alone  offer  praise,  and  the  cold,  lifeless  disserta- 
tions they  deliver,  fall  upon  the  ear  with  paralysing 
effect.  The  Christian  is  not  an  exception  to  the 
general  consequence  of  such  an  address ;  for  al- 
though the  truth  may  be  preached,  it  will  ever  fail 
to  interest.  And  even  when  what  is  enforced  co- 
incides with  the  dictates  of  inspiration,  (which 
cannot  always  be  affirmed,)  and  when  the  language 


THE    CHRISTIAN    SABBATH.  55 

in  which  the  discourse  is  clothed  is  glowing  and 
well  chosen,  still,  that  which  interests  not  the 
speaker,  can  never  affect  the  hearers. 

In  this  case,  then,  the  house  of  prayer  itself  is 
that  which  deadens,  and  the  offices  of  devotion  that 
which  tends  to  alienate  from  God  ;  for  worldliness 
may  be  there  also,  and  its  withering  spirit  may  be 
infused  into  services  the  most  sacred.  And  the 
heart  that  had  ascended  to  God  in  private,  may  be- 
come lifeless  and  unimpressed,  through  the  dull 
monotony  of  formal  ministrations,  that  are  calcula- 
ted to  freeze  the  genial  warmth  of  religious  feeling. 
Yet  the  injunction,  "  forsake  not  the  assembling 
of  yourselves  together,  as  the  manner  of  some  is," 
remains  in  force.  And  to  attend  upon  the  ordi- 
nances of  divine  appointment,  is  a  proof  of  obedi- 
ence, even  when  the  believer  cannot  hope  to  profit 
by  them.  Therefore,  where  more  spiritual  means 
are  unattainable,  through  the  circumstances  in 
which  he  is  placed,  this  duty  will  still  not  be  ne- 
glected, remembering  that  "  the  lot  is  cast  into  the 
lap,  but  the  whole  disposing  thereof  is  of  the 
Lord." 

Where  intercourse  with  the  worldly  is  unavoid- 
able, yet,  as  it  ever  will  be  detrimental,  one  re- 
source presents  itself,  a  resource  for  every  time  of 
need,  namely,  prayer.  Believing  soul!  that  which 
you  would  remedy  is  God's  work ;  from  him, 
therefore,  seek  relief.     To  keep  the  heart  alive  to 


56  THE    CHRISTIAN    SABBATH. 

the  power  of  godliness,  when  necessitated  to  asso- 
ciate with  those  who  are  insensible  to  divine  things, 
is  not  in  man.  But  "  God  is  able  to  make  all 
grace  abound  towards  you,  to  keep  you  from  fall- 
ing, and  to  succour  them  that  are  tempted."  Or, 
believer !  you  desire  that  the  worldly  who  are 
around  you  may  "  yield  themselves  to  God,  as 
those  that  are  alive  from  the  dead,"  and  that  they 
may  live  to  his  glory  eternally.  But  the  work  of 
forming  the  soul  to  show  forth  His  praise  is  crea- 
tive ;  wherefore,  pray.  Man  can  do  much. — He 
can  invent  and  frame  that  which  transports  him 
through  the  pathless  ocean  ;  and  although  his  bark 
"  be  driven  of  fierce  winds,  yet  it  is  turned  about 
with  a  very  small  helm,  whithersoever  the  governor 
.isteth,  until  it  is  brought  unto  the  desired  haven." 
He  can  form  that  which  conveys  him  into  ethereal 
regions,  where,  leaving  his  native  residence,  the 
earth,  beneath  him,  the  clouds  become  his  pavil- 
ion. He  can  control  fire  and  water,  using  them 
for  his  benefit,  and  by  means  of  their  power 
causing  them  efficiently  to  promote  his  advantage. 
He  can  bring  under  subjection  animals  the  most 
savage,  and  the  animate  and  inanimate  creation, 
with  which  the  world  is  stored,  are  subject  to  his 
dominion.  These  things,  and  many  more,  man 
can  do ;  but  one  thing  he  cannot,  and  here  his 
power  fails ;  he  has  no  ability  to  free  the  soul  from 
sin,  "  to  deliver  from  the  power  of  darkness,  and 


THE    CHRISTIAN    SABBATH.  57 

to  translate  into  the  dominion  of  God's  dear  Son." 
Wherefore,  Christian,  if  you  desire  this  great 
work  to  be  accomplished,  pray.  "  He  that  made 
that  which  is  without,  made  that  which  is  within 
also ;"  and  to  be  "  created  in  Christ  Jesus  unto 
good  works,"  requires  as  much  the  energy  of  the 
Almighty  as  our  original  formation  out  of  nothing. 
True  "  wisdom  is  from  above;"  from  thence,  there- 
fore, seek  it.  And  let  encouragement  and  comfort 
be  derived  from  the  consideration,  that  "  we  are 
insufficient  of  ourselves  to  think  any  thing  as  of 
ourselves,  but  that  our  sufficiency  is  of  God." 


CHAPTER  IV. 

RELIGION  OF  THE  WORLDLY  CONTRASTED  WITH 
THE  TRUE. 


World's  religion  without  reference  to  the  Bible — Consists  in  cold,  uninfluen- 
tial  ceremony — Worldly  ideas  of  morality — Selfishness — Perversions  of 
religion — What  it  really  is  ;  deeply  seated  in  the  heart ;  eminently  conspicu- 
ous ;  and  unlimited  in  its  influence — Religion  of  the  worldly  confined — The 
true,  universal  in  its  efFect — Searching  questions — Why  wonders  of  re- 
demption wrought. 


"  What  is  fanatic  frenzy,  scorned  so  much 
And  dreaded  more  than  a  contagious  touch  1 
I  grant  it  dang'rous,  and  approve  your  fear, 
That  fire  is  catching  if  you  draw  too  near ; 
But  sage  observers  oft  mistake  the  flame, 
And  give  true  piety  that  odious  name. 
To  tremble,  (as  the  creatures  of  an  hour 
Ought  at  the  view  of  an  Almighty  power,) 
Before  His  presence,  at  whose  awful  throne 
All  tremble,  in  all  worlds,  except  your  own. 
To  supplicate  his  mercy,  love  his  ways, 
To  prize  them  above  pleasure,  wealth,  or  praise. 
Though  common  sense  allow'd  a  casting  voice, 
And,  free  from  bias,  must  approve  the  choice, 
Convicts  a  man  fanatic  in  th'  extreme, 
And  wild  as  madness  in  the  world's  esteem  !" 


From  the  observations  that  have  been  made  in 
the  preceding  chapters,  it  is  evident  that  the  sen- 
timents which  prevail  in  the  world  are  very  differ- 
ent from  what  the  Scriptures  inculcate ;  and  that 
the  perceptions  of  such  as  "have  tasted  of  the 


RELIGION    OF    THE    WORLDLY,    &C.  59 

heavenly  gift,  and  are  made  partakers  of  the  Holy 
Ghost,  living  under  the  powers  of  the  world  to 
come,"  are  not  at  all  in  unison  with  those  of 
worldly  professors.  Nevertheless  there  are  senti- 
ments and  ideas,  respecting  religion  and  morality, 
which  the  more  decent  and  creditable  of  the  latter 
class  have  formed  for  themselves,  and  which,  with 
little  variation,  are  very  universally  adopted  by 
them  all.  These  are  entirely  without  reference  to 
the  Bible  ;  nor  can  such  persons  be  shaken  in  their 
opinions,  by  any  thing  in  opposition  to  them,  that 
may  be  advanced  from  sacred  writ. 

If  a  passage  from  that  inspired  volume,  by 
which  we  all  profess  to  be  guided,  that  is  complete- 
ly at  variance  with  their  creed,  be  quoted  in  their 
hearing,  it  makes  no  impression  on  their  minds. 
What  is  right,  and  what  is  wrong,  is  so  settled  to 
their  satisfaction,  that  nothing  appears  to  have  the 
smallest  weight  in  altering  their  notions  or  actions. 
Whence  this  theory  of  religion  and  morals  is  de- 
duced, it  would  be  difficult  to  determine ;  but  it  is 
generally  received  and  understood  by  those  of  the 
worldly  among  whom  propriety  of  conduct  and 
regularity  of  life  are  found.  So  similar  are  their 
ideas  on  these  points,  that  what  they  will  say  or 
do,  in  reference  to  them,  may  be  known  with  equal 
cettainty,  as  if  a  regular  system  had  been  promul- 
gated. Should  any  with  whom  they  are  conver- 
sant fail  of  reaching  their  standard,  they  will  meet 


60  RELIGION    OF    THE    WORLDLY 

with  their  disapprobation ;  but  should  they  exceed 
the  limits  they  have  drawn,  and  attain  to  a  higher 
grade,  they  are  sure  of  incurring  their  dislike. 
To  be  worse  than  themselves,  they  deem  repre- 
hensible ;  but  to  be  better  is,  in  their  view,  unpar- 
donable. 

Their  religion  seems  to  consist  in  a  sort  of  reve- 
rential deportment  towards  the  Deity,  manifesting 
itself  in  a  cold  and  formal  respect  for  sacred  insti- 
tutions and  things.  Really  to  feel  interested  in 
what  so  nearly  concerns  us,  as  that  happiness  or 
misery  for  ever  are  impending,  is  by  them  deemed 
enthusiasm  and  folly ;  but  still  the  round  of  respect- 
ful compliment  must  be  paid  with  undeviating 
regularity.  They  will  tell  you,  that  far  from  ne- 
glecting any  religious  duty,  they  think  it  highly 
blameworthy  to  do  so ;  but  if  mention  is  made  of 
spending  the  Sabbath-day,  as  the  genuine  disciples 
of  Jesus  do,  or  of  devoting  even  one  hour  to  prayer, 
or  to  the  perusal  of  the  Word  of  Life,  should  they 
not  avowedly  confess  that  they  condemn  such  prac- 
tices, a  look  of  disapprobation  will  at  least  follow. 
Often  we  are  told,  "  that  they  do  not  approve  of 
carrying  religion  too  far, — that  it  is  very  right  to 
be  religious  when  it  is  kept  within  due  bounds, — 
and  that  those  who  say  most  about  it  are  not  the 
most  sincere."  In  short,  their  sentiments  respect- 
ing this  subject  of  paramount  importance,  as  far  as 
they  can  be  inferred  from  their  words  and  actions, 


CONTRASTED  WITH  THE  TRUE.        61 

seem  to  be,  that  deference  ought  to  be  shown  to 
religion  in  the  aggregate ;  but  in  what  it  consists 
beyond  the  mere  form,  seems  totally  undefined  by 
them.  It  is  not,  as  they  conceive,  the  heart  raised 
to  God  ;  it  is  not  the  life  guided  by  the  precepts 
the  Bible  enjoins  ;  it  is  not  the  dependence  placed 
on  a  crucified  Redeemer  for  salvation,  and  the  con- 
duct which  naturally  flows  from  such  a  reliance ; 
it  is  not  communion  with  God  in  prayer  and  praise  ; 
but  it  is  a  dull,  formal,  uninfluential  return  of  care- 
less ceremony,  without  the  design  that  it  should  be 
productive  of  any  result,  excepting  the  satisfaction 
that  arises  from  the  recollection,  that  what  is  bur- 
densome has  been  gone  through,  and  that,  there- 
fore, more  liberty  to  enjoy  themselves  according  to 
their  inclinations  may  now  safely  be  taken. 

Their  ideas  respecting  morality  are  equally 
vague  and  undefined.  They  will  tell  you  that  it 
consists  in  being  good  members  of  society,  good 
husbands,  good  parents,  and  good  masters.  But 
if  we  inquire  more  minutely,  we  shall  find,  that 
unless  an  individual  be  very  much  the  reverse  of 
these  characters,  according  to  their  estimate,  his 
morality  is  perfectly  satisfactory.  A  good  mem- 
ber of  society,  as  they  judge,  is  one  who  neither 
over-reaches  nor  defrauds  his  neighbour ;  but  it  is 
not  necessary  that  he  should  seek  the  well-being 
of  others,  or  that  he  should  do  aught  to  promote 
the  happiness,  or  to  increase  the  rectitude  of  those 

6 


\ 

62  RELIGION    OF    THE    WORLDLY 

around  him.  These  things  are  generally  deemed 
by  them  superfluous  and  inexpedient,  and  savour 
too  much  of  an  interest  felt  in  the  cause  of  religion 
to  be  acceptable  with  the  worldly. 

In  the  family  circle,  likewise,  all  are  by  them 
esteemed  good  who  are  not  notoriously  bad  ;  and 
many  a  good  husband,  father  and  master,  render 
their  households  miserable  by  their  arbitrary  con- 
duct, or  their  unhappy  tempers,  if  not  by  greater 
vices,  without  the  slightest  imputation  being  cast 
upon  their  moral  character  or  deserts.  The  truth 
is,  much  the  larger  proportion  of  men  are  reckoned 
by  the  worldly,  good.  The  slightest  outside  var- 
nish is  sufficient  to  procure  the  world's  encomiums, 
and  little  claim  to  virtue  indeed  must  that  man 
possess,  to  whom  the  appellation  of  moral  is  de- 
nied. 

In  some  persons  of  this  class,  selfishness  seems 
to  be  the  basis  upon  which  their  morals  are  built, 
and  they  are  themselves  often  little  aware  how 
much  their  practice  is  influenced  by  this  low  affec- 
tion. They  will  on  no  account  do  what  might  be 
to  their  prejudice  in  the  sight  of  others,  and  the 
good  of  others  interests  them  according  as  it  will 
affect  themselves.  They  strive  that  none  of  their 
actions  may  be  considered  wrong ;  and  they  rejoice 
in,  and  will  do  their  utmost  to  augment  the  pros- 
perity of  those '  who  are  necessary  to  their  own 
comfort  or  aggrandizement.     To  promote  their  in- 


CONTRASTED  WITH  THE  TRUE.        63 

dividual  benefit  is  their  great  object,  and  that  their 
happiness  can,  in  many  ways,  be  effected  through 
the  medium  of  those  connected  with  them,  is  evi- 
dent. There  are  likewise  to  be  found,  some  in 
whom  selfishness  is  not  so  all-absorbing  a  ground 
of  action,  and  yet  where  much  that  is  good  in  it- 
self is  deteriorated  by  the  influence  of  this  princi- 
ple. Such  persons  cannot  open  their  heart  or 
their  hands  excepting  in  the  narrow  bounds  of 
their  own  family  and  relationship.  Within  this 
limit  they  are  kind,  considerate,  and  liberal,  and 
that,  perhaps,  without  apparent  reference  to,  or 
even  thought  of,  their  own  advantage ;  beyond  it, 
however,  no  compassions  flow,  and  no  generous 
emotions  beat.  It  is  natural  and  proper  that  a 
preference  should  be  felt  and  shown  for  those  with 
whom  we  are  most  nearly  related,  and  with  whom 
we  more  immediately  dwell ;  but  where  all  besides 
are  excluded  from  the  slightest  sympathy  or  in- 
terest, self  may  be  detected  as  that  which  prompts 
to  actions  which,  however  they  may  deserve  com- 
mendation, are  thus  robbed  of  their  intrinsic  excel- 
lence through  the  motive  that  instigates  them.  The 
charities  of  life  are,  with  these  persons,  bound  up 
in  a  contracted  circle,  and  this  circle  revolves 
around  self ;  and  it  is  strongly  to  be  suspected,  if 
thus  confined,  that  self-love  is  the  influencing  prin- 
ciple whence  their  good  deeds  emanate.  To  aid 
and  kindly  treat  those  who  are  dear  to  us,  is  nearly 


64  RELIGION    OF    THE    WORLDLY 

allied  to  a  selfish  gratification ;  and  if  charity  ex- 
tends no  farther,  it  is  cramped  in  its  energies,  and 
stinted  in  its  growth. 

Such  is  the  religion,  and  such  the  morality  of 
many  who  rank  among  the  best  worldly  characters  ! 
Still  greater  perversions,  however,  of  these  funda- 
mental principles  may  very  generally  be  found  in 
other  descriptions  of  worldly  men ;  each  devising 
for  himself  some  creed  upon  these  important  points, 
to  suit  his  inclination,  and  as  a  salvo  to  his  con- 
science. A  few,  indeed,  of  the  immoral  and  pro- 
fane, unblushingly  avow  their  determination  to 
throw  aside  religion's  trammels,  and  to  yield  no 
obedience  to  its  laws  ;  "  saying,  let  us  break  their 
bands  asunder,  and  cast  away  their  cords  from  us." 
But  there  are  more,  even  of  this  class,  who  pretend 
to  maintain  a  religion,  and  a  morality,  foreign  in- 
deed to  the  true,  but  which,  strange  as  it  may  ap- 
pear, is  satisfactory  to  themselves. 

Their  religion  consists  in  never  having  renounced 
the  name  of  Christian, — in  occasional  attendance 
on  the  outward  forms  of  Christianity, — and  in  the 
belief  that  they  are  entitled  to  its  privileges.  Their 
thoughts  are  no  more  encumbered  by  the  subject, 
than  those  of  the  greatest  infidel  are ;  and  they 
would  deprecate  the  idea,  that  the  truths  of  revela 
tion  should  ever  be  permitted  to  obtrude  themselves 
on  their  imaginations.  Still  they  conceive  that 
they  are  Christians,  and  nothing  but  the  commis 


CONTRASTED  WITH  THE  TRUE.        65 

sion  of  very  flagrant  wickedness  can,  as  they  sup- 
pose, deprive  them  of  the  right  to  be  so  considered. 
And  here  their  notions  are  most  conveniently  lax 
and  general ;  for  almost  every  sin  is  by  them 
deemed  allowable.  With  the  exceptions  of  mur- 
der and  theft,  and  those  offences  which  they  ac- 
count dishonourable,  scarcely  any  transgression  of 
the  law  is  not  palliated  by  them.  A  sense  of 
honour,  evincing  itself  chiefly  by  a  regard  to  truth, 
is  their  principal  moral  distinction ;  further  than 
this  they  neither  pretend  to  practise,  nor  desire  to 
imitate,  the  sublime  precepts  of  the  Gospel. 

Oh  that  what  is  thus  barren  should  claim  to  be 
regarded  as  the  religion  of  Christ !  Or  that  those 
in  whom  no  better  title  to  the  appellation  of 
Christian  exists,  should  ever  be  permitted  to  usurp 
it !  Let  us  turn  from  the  affecting  picture,  and 
with  heartfelt  gratification,  inquire,  what  the  reli- 
gion that  our  Divine  Master  taught  ug  truly  is,  and 
what  are  the  precepts  which  Christ  inculcated  ? 

Often  as  this  cheering  theme  has  been  dwelt  up- 
on, and  familiar  as  it  ought  to  be  to  our  thoughts, 
yet,  when  viewing  the  superficial  pretence  of  the 
worldly,  and  the  deficiencies  or  crimes  of  profess- 
ing Christians,  relief  is  brought  to  the  mind  by  the 
recollection,  that  such  perversion  of  the  truth  is 
not  Christianity,  and  that  no  false  religion  which 
the  world  has  ever  known,  can,  in  fact,  be  more 
completely  opposed  to  the  true,  than  that  which 


66  RELIGION    OF    THE    WORLDLY 

these  nominal  Christians,  with  daring  hardihood, 
profess  and  practise. 

It  has  been  remarked  that  they  take  not  their 
ideas  from  the  Bible.  This  is  characteristic  of  all 
classes  among  the  worldly.  We  do  not  say  of  all 
that  the  Sacred  Volume  is  never  in  their  hands,  or 
that  they  do  not  peruse  its  pages ;  but  we  do  say 
that  what  they  read  makes  no  alteration  in  their 
sentiments  ;  that  however  much  their  opinions  may 
differ  from  what  revelation  dictates,  they  remain 
unchanged.  They  read  the  Bible  as  if  their  duty 
consisted  in  the  mere  act,  and  not  for  instruction 
how  to  live  ;  and  having  performed  the  task,  no 
reference  is  made,  in  thought  or  deed,  to  what  has 
fallen  under  their  review;  the  debt  is  paid,  and 
conscience  is  clear  ! 

Could  they  be  prevailed  upon,  seriously  and 
prayerfully,  to  peruse  the  Word  of  God,  with  a 
sincere  desire,  and  earnest  endeavour,  to  compre- 
hend its  meaning,  to  learn  its  lessons,  and  to  im- 
bibe its  spirit,  hopes  might  be  entertained,  that  the 
light  of  divine  truth  would  break  in  upon  their 
darkened  minds,  and  that  the  dawn  of  a  brighter 
day  was  at  hand.  "  Then  shall  ye  know,  if  ye 
follow  on  to  know  the  Lord ;  and  he  shall  come 
unto  us  as  the  rain,  as  the  latter  and  former  rain 
unto  the  earth."  But  if  "  the  heart  is  hid  from 
understanding,  and  the  ear  turned  away  from  hear 
ing  the  law,"  the  life-giving  pages  must  remain 


CONTRASTED  WITH  THE  TRUE.       67 

"  sealed  up  among  God's  treasures,"*  ready  indeed 
to  be  dispensed  to  all,  but  of  no  utility  to  those  who 
despise  them. 

What,  then,  do  the  Scriptures  teach  us  respect- 
ing religion  and  its  fruits  ?  and  what  distinguishes 
the  religion  of  the  Bible  from  that  which  we  have 
been  considering  as  so  generally  found  among 
nominal  Christians  ?  One  material  distinction  be- 
tween true  Christianity  and  the  mere  profession  of 
it  is,  that  when  genuine,  it  is  deeply  seated  in  the 
heart,  and  hence  influences  the  life.  The  religion 
of  the  Bible  does  not  skim  the  surface,  but  strikes 
at  the  root.  It  is  not  superficial  but  fundamental. 
It  imparts  its  healing  virtues  to  the  fountain,  that 
thence  streams  of  health  may  flow. 

The  heart  is  the  residence  of  all  that  is  intrin- 
sically good  or  bad.  "  A  good  man,  out  of  the 
good  treasure  of  the  heart,  bringeth  forth  good 
things ;  and  an  evil  man,  out  of  the  evil  treasure, 
bringeth  forth  evil  things.  Out  of  the  abundance 
of  the  heart  the  mouth  speaketh ;  and  the  end  of 
the  commandment,  charity,  is  out  of  a  pure  heart." 
The  heart,  in  fact,  constitutes  the  man,  and  the 
hearts  of  all  men  are  led  captive  either  by  God  or 
Satan.  While  "  man  looketh  on  the  outward  ap- 
pearance, the  Lord  looketh  on  the  heart." 

The  heart  is  the  seat  of  the  operations  of  divine 

*  Deuteronomy  zxxii.  34. 


68  RELIGION    OF   THE    WORLDLY 

grace.  It  is  by  nature  dead  to  all  moral  affections, 
unable  to  beat  with  love  to  God  or  man.  But 
quickened  by  the  Spirit,  it  is  made  alive,  and  be- 
comes one  in  purpose  and  in  interest  with  the  Su- 
preme !  By  the  Holy  Ghost  the  stony  heart  is  ta- 
ken out  of  the  flesh,  and  a  heart  of  flesh,  given  ; 
and  thus  it  becomes  deeply  affected  by  its  lost  es- 
tate, feels  the  turpitude  of  its  every  thought,  and 
earnestly  longs  for  recovery  from  a  condition  so 
debased.  It  is  penetrated  by  a  sense  of  the  won- 
derful means  that  have  been  employed  to  effect  this 
desired  renovation,  even  the  unexampled  sufferings 
of  the  Eternal  Son ;  and  won  by  love  thus  mar- 
vellously exhibited,  it  embraces  the  salvation  of 
Jesus,  not  coldly  and  formally,  but  with  lively 
emotions  of  gratitude,  unfeignedly,  unreservedly. 
The  language  of  tn*at  heart  henceforward  is,  "  what 
shall  I  render  unto  the  Lord  for  all  his  benefits  ? 
I  will  delight  myself  in  thy  statutes,  I  will  not  for- 
get thy  word." 

Nor  is  it  with  resolutions  and  promises  alone  that 
a  heart  touched  by  divine  grace  can  be  satisfied. 
"  I  will  run  the  way  of  thy  commandments  when 
thou  shalt  enlarge  my  heart,"  said  the  Psalmist ; 
and  when  "  the  law  of  God  is  in  the  heart,  none 
of  the  steps  shall  slide."  And  here  we  are  led  to 
notice  another  distinction  between  the  religion  of 
the  Bible  and  that  of  the  worldly  professor, — that 
the  former  is  eminently  conspicuous. 


CONTRASTED  WITH  THE  TRUE.       69 

The  religion  that  the  worldly  profess  has  little  to 
mark  its  existence  ;  it  is  scarcely  discernible,  and 
never  increases  in  strength  or  beauty.  At  the  best, 
it  consists  in  freedom  from  gross  sin,  and  in  the 
being  possessed  of  some  exterior  good  qualities. 
But  the  renewal  of  the  soul  from  the  love  of  sin 
to  the  love  of  holiness*,  is  accomplished  by  divine 
agency,  and,  like  the  other  works  of  God,  is  cal- 
culated to  attract  observation.  They  are  not  made 
to  be  concealed,  but  are  destined  to  reflect  the  glory 
of  their  Author.  And  the  path  of  the  just  is  illu- 
mined by  rays  of  divine  light,  through  which  the 
operation  of  the  Most  High  may  be  traced.  "  We 
are  his  workmanship  created  in  Christ  Jesus  unto 
good  works,  which  God  hath  before  ordained  that 
we  should  walk  in  them."*  The  new  man  "  after 
God  is  created  in  righteousness  and  true  holiness."! 
And  it  is  "  the  exceeding  greatness  of  his  power 
to  them  who  believe,"^  which  is  manifested,  in 
their  being  "  conformed  to  the  image  of  his  son  f\ 
When  the  power  of  God  operates,  what  shall  im- 
pede the  accomplishment  of  his  purpose  ?  And 
when  the  effect  is  a  transformation  so  wonderful, 
as  that  man  should  bear  the  image  of  his  Son,  can 
the  change  pass  unnoticed  ?  Is  the  difference  tri- 
fling between  the  image  of  the  earthly,  and  the 
image  of  the  Lord  from  heaven  ?  Can  the  one  be 

*  Eph.  ii.  10.    t  lb.  iv.  24.     X  lb.  i.  19.     $  Rom.  viii.  29. 


70  RELIGION    OF    THE    WORLDLY 

mistaken  for  the  other  ?  Or,  is  not  the  image  of 
Christ  easily  to  he  discerned  in  those  who  bear  it  ? 
The  likeness  in  some  Christians  may  be  more 
complete ;  but  all  grow  in  assimilation  to  their 
Head  in  all  things.  And  the  properties  which 
shone  with  such  unparalleled  lustre  in  the  Saviour 
when  he  tabernacled  on  earth,  are  in  some  measure 
visible  in  every  one  of  his  believing  people.  And 
as  "  a  city  set  on  a  hill  cannot  be  hid,"  so  the  in- 
fluence of  the  Spirit  of  God  in  the  heart  must  ap- 
pear, "  to  the  praise  of  the  glory  of  his  grace." 
"  Ye  are  our  epistle,"  said  Paul,  "known  and  read 
of  all  men." 

With  •  one  other  distinguishing  mark  of  true 
religion,  when  compared  with  that  which  is  the 
mere  profession  of  it,  we  shall  conclude  our  obser- 
vations on  the  subject.  Where  religion  is  genuine, 
it  is  not  only  fundamental  and  conspicuous,  but  it 
is  likewise  unlimited  in  its  influence. 

The  religion  of  the  worldly  is  always  confined 
to  some  few  deeds,  generally  those  to  which  their 
inclinations  prompt  them,  or  to  which  they  are  led 
by  their  education  or  habits.  The  temperate  will 
place  their  religion  in  sobriety ;  the  frugal  in  care- 
fulness ;  the  prodigal  in  liberality  ;  and  all,  per- 
haps, in  a  certain  attention  to  the  exterior  form  of 
divine  worship,  in  public  or  in  private.  But  they 
are  uniformly  desirous  to  guard  against  excess  of 
religion ;  "  hitherto  shalt  thou  go,  and  no  farther," 


CONTRASTED  WITH  THE  TRUE.        71 

is  their  language  regarding  it.  They  will  talk  of 
being  properly  religious,  or  of  going  too  great 
lengths  in  religion ;  and  they  do  not  scruple  to  say 
that  it  is  dangerous  to  give  up  the  mind  too  much 
to  religion.  Thus  fearful  are  they  that  the  boun- 
dary line  which  they  prescribe  should  be  passed, 
and  the  affections  become  interested. 

The  religion  which  the  Bible  enjoins,  on  the 
contrary,  extends  to  every  thought,  feeling,  temper, 
and  emotion.  The  whole  soul,  with  all  its  dispo- 
sitions, qualities  and  passions,  is  by  it  brought  un- 
der the  guidance  of  the  revealed  will  of  God.  The 
work  is  God's,  and  his  design,  where  religion  is 
implanted,  is  to  renew  his  own  image  in  man,  not 
partially  and  defectively,  but  completely  and  for 
ever.  Therefore  the  transformation  is  universal, 
without  limits,  extending  to  all  the  desires  and  all 
the  actions.  Not  that  there  is  perfection  in  any 
one  of  them  while  on  earth,  but  that  the  end  pro- 
posed, for  which  the  creative  energy  of  the  Most 
High  operates,  is  "  to  present  every  man  perfect 
in  Christ  Jesus,  according  to  his  working,  which 
workcth  mightily."  And  even  now,  being  alive 
from  the  dead,  all  the  members  are  instruments  of 
righteousness  unto  God.  The  very  God  of  peace 
sanctifying,  not  in  one  or  in  many  parts,  but  wholly. 
"  And  where  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  is,  there  is 
liberty."  Liberty  in  access  to  a  throne  of  grace  ; 
an  enlargement  of  heart  to  seek  after  God ;  free- 


72  RELIGION    OP    THE    WORLDLY 

dom  from  sin  that  had  formerly  been  delighted  in  ; 
and,  in  the  world  to  come,  an  entire  exemption 
from  all  evil.  "  Jerusalem  which  is  above  is  free, 
and  the  whole  limit  thereof  round  about  shall  be 
most  holy." 

Thus,  the  work  of  God  is  not  confined  in  its 
operation,  but  influences  the  whole  man.  There 
is  no  grace  that  is  not  implanted  in  the  soul  of  him 
who  is  born  from  above  ;  and  all  the  graces  of  the 
Spirit,  when  they  are  implanted,  increase  in 
strength  and  beauty.  "  He  shall  grow  as  the  lily, 
and  cast  forth  his  roots  as  Lebanon.  His  branches 
shall  spread,  and  his  beauty  shall  be  as  the  olive 
tree."  And  the  greater  the  advancement  of  any 
Christian  in  holiness,  the  more  intense  are  his  de- 
sires after  complete  assimilation  to  the  divine  like- 
ness. From  the  heart  he  exclaims,  "  O  how  I  love 
thy  law,  it  is  my  meditation  all  the  day.  I  hate 
vain  thoughts,  but  thy  law  do  I  love.  I  shall  be 
satisfied  when  I  awake  with  thy  likeness." 

From  these  few  evidences  it  were  easy  to  deter- 
mine if  religion  has  gained  that  ascendancy  in  our 
breasts  which  marks  its  reality ;  or,  if  the  profes- 
sion of  it  only  is  ours.  Does  it  take  its  rise  from 
the  seat  of  all  good  and  evil,  the  heart  ?  Can  none 
of  those  with  whom  we  are  conversant,  be  igno- 
rant that  it  is  to  be  found  there  from  the  exhibition 
of  its  fruit?  And  is  every  desire,  affection,  and 
action,  in  some  degree  influenced  by  it?     These 


CONTRASTED  WITH  THE  TRUE.        73 

are  simple  but  searching  questions  ;  and  however 
we  may  hope   well  respecting  our  spiritual  state, 
let  us  not  rest  satisfied  till  we  can  answer  them  in 
the  affirmative.     What  God  has  taught  us  is  not 
of  trivial   importance  ;  and  to    trifle    through    life 
with  a  concern  so  weighty,  as  whether  we  have 
reason  to  expect  happiness  or  misery  eternally, 
is  folly  not  to  be  credited,  were  it  not  so  general. 
The  flimsy  texture  of  outside  religion  with  which 
the  worldly  satisfy  their  consciences,  can  never  be 
the  principle  which  the  Son  of  God  became  man, 
and  in  our  nature  lived  and  died,  to  implant.     It 
was  not  for  an  inconsiderable  benefit,  but  to  renew 
the  human  soul  after  the  image  of  God,  which  it 
had  lost,  that   "  the   Word  was  made  flesh,   and 
dwelt  among  us."    In  the  land  of  the  living,  where 
could  a  price  equal  to  this  result  be  found  ?   "  The 
•  depth  saith,  It  is  not  in  me;  and  the  sea  saith,  It 
is  not  in  me.     It  cannot  be  gotten  for  gold,  neither 
shall  silver  be  weighed  for  the  price  thereof.     The 
gold  and  the  crystal  cannot  equal  it ;  no  mention 
shall  be  made  of  coral,  or  of  pearls ;  for  the  price 
of  wisdom  is   above   rubies  :"     And  infinite  must 
be  the  worth  and  the  magnitude  of  the  gift,  when 
what  may  almost  seem  conflict  in  the  ever  blessed 
Trinity,  can  alone  entitle  to  the  reception  of  it ! 
The  hand  of  the  Father  is  turned  against  the  Son, 
and  the    sword   of  Divine  justice   is   unsheathed 
against  the  man  that  is    God's  fellow  !  and  the 

7 


74  RELIGION    OF    THE    WORLDLY,  &C. 

Shepherd  is  smitten,*  and  what  must  be  the  result 
when  wonders  like  these  are  accomplished  ?  Is  a 
benefit  of  little  value  gained  ? — a  slight  shade  of 
distinction  only  produced  between  the  characters 
of  the  unrenewed  and  the  redeemed  ? — Shall  we 
not  rather  conclude,  that  the  effects  are  illimitable, 
and  that  the  duration  of  them  will  be  eternal  ? 
Yes ;  the  people  of  God,  "  beholding  as  in  a  glass 
the  glory  of  the  Lord,  are  changed  into  the  same 
image,  from  glory  to  glory,  even  as  by  the  Spirit 
of  the  Lord."t  "  And  being  made  free  from  sin, 
and  become  servants  to  God,  they  have  their  fruit 
unto  holiness,  and  the  end  everlasting  life."%  This 
is  the  noble  consummation  of  the  Redeemer's 
sacrifice.  "  For  this  purpose  the  Son  of  God  was 
manifested,  that  he  might  destroy  the  works  of  the 
devil."  And  into  the  new  Jerusalem  "  there  shall 
in  no  wise  enter  any  thing  that  defileth,  neither 
whatsoever  worketh  abomination,  or  maketh  a  lie ; 
but  they  that  are  written  in  the  Lamb's  book  of 
life." 

•  Zech.  xiu.  7.        t2  Cor  iii.  18.        X  Rom.  vi.  22. 


CHAPTER  V. 

THE  YOUNG  SHOWN  WHERE  TO  FIND  HAPPINESS. 


Ignorance  of  Religion  often  in  the  well  inclined  among  the  Young— They 
conceive  of  it  as  enthusiam— To  think  thus  not  blameless — Youth  attrac- 
tive^— The  Young  addressed — Lord  Chesterfield's  testimony  to  the  vanity 
of  the  World— Extract  of  a  Letter  to  him  from  Voltaire — That  Religion  is 
gloomy,  contradicted  by  fact — Clementine  Cuvier;  Hannah  Sinclair — 
Striking  contrast  between  the  happiness  expressed  by  the  Religious,  and  the 
lack  of  it  in  the  Worldly— The  Young  earnestly  pled  with. 


"  Deceiv'd ;  they,  fondly  thinking  to  allay 
Their  appetite  with  gust,  instead  of  fruit 
Chew'd  bitter  ashes." 

There  is  a  class  of  worldly  characters  in  whom 
it  is  impossible  for  a  Christian  not  to  feel  a  lively 
interest — we  allude  to  the  well  inclined  among  the 
young ;  but  who,  from  the  manner  in  which  they 
have  been  educated,  from  the  society  among  whom 
their  lot  has  fallen,  from  prejudice,  or  some  other 
cause,  have  not  embraced  the  Gospel  as  their  re- 
fuge and  joy.  These  individuals  most  commonly 
have  lived  in  the  families  of  the  worldly,  and  never 
having  enjoyed  the  advantage  of  being  instructed 
in  the  principles  of  genuine  religion,  are  often  to- 
tally ignorant  of  what  it  really  is. 

They  will  do  many  things  that  are  praiseworthy, 


76  THE    YOUNG    SHOWN 

with  the  intention  to  do  right,  and  possibly  to  please 
God  ;  but  they  know  not  the  foundation  upon  which 
all  goodness  that  is  universal  in  its  influence,  and 
unlimited  in  its  sway,  must  be  built, — a  reliance 
for  pardon  and  acceptance  on  the  merits  of  a  cruci- 
fied Saviour,  and  a  dependence  on  the  operation  of 
the  Holy  Spirit,  which  is  freely  given,  for  the  Re- 
deemer's sake,  to  all  who  ask  for  it. 

Such  ideas,  they  have  been  taught  to  believe, 
savour  of  enthusiasm.  They  conceive  of  them  as 
wild,  chimerical  opinions,  adopted  only  by  fanatics. 
Perhaps  they  are  told  that  they  were  requisite 
in  the  time  of  the  Apostles,  and  at  the  first  pro- 
mulgation of  Christianity,  but  that  now  they  are 
completely  exploded  by  sober,  thinking  people,  as 
superfluous  or  dangerous.  The  godly,  (as  they 
are  often  termed,)  they  hear  spoken  of  as  well 
meaning,  but  injudicious  persons,  elevated  in  their 
conduct  a  little  above  what  common  sense  dictates, 
and  whose  heated  imaginations  lead  them  to  en- 
tertain speculative  theories,  that  are  of  no  moment, 
and  lead  to  no  practical  result. 

To  think  thus  of  the  peculiar  tenets  and  invalua- 
ble discoveries  of  our  religion,  is  undoubtedly  not 
blameless.  And  even  those  who  know  no  better, 
can  never  be  acquitted  on  the  score  of  ignorance, 
where  such  a  blaze  of  Gospel  light  exists  as  that 
with  which  our  land  is  favoured.  None  need  be 
ignorant  who  can  read  the  Word  of  God,  and  have 


WHERE    TO    FIND    HAPPINESS.  77 

access  to  its  contents.  There,  the  great  truths  of 
religion  are  plainly  revealed,  and  it  is  our  own 
fault  if  we  do  not  receive  them.  And  yet,  the  cir- 
cumstances in  which  some  are  placed,  are  much 
less  favourable  for  their  being  instructed  in  what  is 
necessary  for  their  salvation  and  their  peace,  than 
those  of  other  men  ;  and  where  the  design  appears 
to  be  to  act  up  to  the  line  of  duty,  in  so  far  as  it  is 
known,  it  is  matter  of  deep  regret  that  any,  so  in- 
clined, should  be  led  to  depart  from  it. 

There  is  something  interesting  and  attractive  in 
the  ingenuous  frankness  of  youth ;  and  when 
amiable  and  estimable  qualities  also  appear  in  the 
young,  the  interest  is  enhanced,  and,  "  Oh  !  that 
they  were  the  Lord's  !"  is  the  fervent  desire  of  the 
believer  in  Jesus.  But  how  affecting  is  it  to  see 
these  young  persons  in  the  families  of  the  worldly, 
and  to  know,  that  those  in  whom  they  naturally 
confide,  who  are  the  guardians  of  their  early  years, 
are  the  most  ready  to  warn  them  against  the  way 
of  life,  and  to  lead  them  in  the  path  that  separates 
from  God.  We  speak  not  of  the  pernicious  exam- 
ple of  the  openly  wicked,  which,  it  is  too  evident, 
must  be  prejudicial  to  youth  ;  but  we  allude  to  the 
conduct  of  worldly-minded  parents,  whose  desire 
it  is  to  warn  their  offspring  against  extremes  in  re- 
ligion, (of  all  evils  what  they  most  dread,)  and  to 
initiate  them  in  scenes  of  vanity  and  folly,  which 
ensnare  and  contaminate. 

7* 


78  THE    YOUNG    SHOWN 

It  is  possible  these  pages  may  be  perused  by 
some  young  persons  whose  situations  are  similar 
to  what  has  been  stated,  but  who  have  not  vet  be- 
come  the  slaves  of  the  world.  Oh  !  that  we  could 
induce  them  to  reflect,  ere  they  enlist  themselves 
among  its  votaries,  who  are  solely  intent  on  human 
applause ;  desirous  of  decoration  and  splendour ; 
caring  for  nothing  but  their  temporal  interest ;  and 
making  self-indulgence,  ease,  and  pleasure,  their 
chief  concern. 

Were  there  no  hereafter,  the  attempt  might  war- 
rantably  be  made,  to  derive  satisfaction  from  what, 
notwithstanding,  never  afforded  it.  Still,  were  it 
our  all,  it  were  reasonable  to  strive  to  attain  some- 
thing, even  where  others  had  failed.  But  to  cast 
aside  the  certainty  of  blessedness  for  that  which, 
on  trial,  has  ever  proved  fallacious,  is  surely  mad- 
ness. We  are  not  aware  that  a  single  instance  is 
on  record  of  the  worldly  having  acknowledged  that 
they  had  found  what  they  sought, — happiness.  But 
many  times  has  "  vanity  of  vanities,  all  is  vanity," 
been,  at  the  last  hour,  the  exclamation  of  men  of 
the  world ;  and  having  seen,  and  known,  the  most 
this  earth  can  give,  they  have  confessed  that  its 
joys  are  illusive,  and  its  possessions  unsatisfying. 

The  testimony  of  one  individual  to  the  vanity  of 
the  world,  after  having  enjoyed  its  favours  in  the 
highest  degree,  and  to  whom  it  was  every  thing,  is 
so  valuable,  that,  although  well  known,  we  make 


WHERE    TO    FIND    HAPPINESS.  79 

no  apology  for  transcribing  it.  So  devoted  was  he 
to  his  idol,  that  outside  varnish,  good  breeding,  and 
good  manners,  constituted  his  model  of  perfection  ! 
And  he  enforced  to  his  own  son,  that  the  principal 
objects  to  which  he  wished  him  to  devote  his  at- 
tention, were  his  appearance,  his  elocution,  and  his 
style ;  to  promote  which  worldly  advantages,  he 
cared  not  to  what  vices  this  near  relative  was  de- 
graded !  To  gloss  over  this  part  of  his  history,  his 
memorialist  charitably  wishes  that  he  had  lived  to 
publish  his  letters  to  his  son  himself,  which  would 
have  given  him  the  opportunity  of  expunging  some 
obnoxious  passages.  But  he  who  so  unreservedly 
recommended  the  world,  with  its  follies,  its  prin- 
ciples, and  practices  ;  in  his  latter  days,  to  that  son, 
thus  avows  that  it  had  failed  him  ; — 

"  I  have  seen,"  said  Lord  Chesterfield,  "  the  silly 
rounds  of  business  and  pleasure,  and  have  done 
with  them  all.  I  have  enjoyed  all  the  pleasures  of 
the  world,  and,  consequently,  know  their  futility, 
and  I  do  not  regret  their  loss.  I  appraise  them  at 
their  real  value,  which  is,  in  truth,  very  low; 
whereas  those  who  have  not  experienced,  always 
over-rate  them.  They  only  see  their  gay  outside, 
and  are  dazzled  with  their  glare ;  but  I  have  been 
behind  the  scenes.  I  have  seen  all  the  coarse 
pulleys  and  dirty  ropes  which  exhibit  and  move  the 
gaudy  machines ;  and  I  have  seen  and  smelt  the 
tallow  candles  which  illuminate  the  whole  decora- 


80  THE    YOUNG    SHOWN 

tion,  to  the  astonishment  and  admiration  of  an  ig- 
norant audience.  When  I  reflect  back  upon  what 
I  have  seen,  what  I  have  heard,  and  what  I  have 
done,  I  can  hardly  persuade  myself  that  all  that 
frivolous  hurry,  and  bustle,  and  pleasure  of  the 
world,  had  any  reality  ;  but  I  look  upon  all  that 
has  past  as  one  of  those  romantic  dreams  which 
opium  commonly  occasions ;  and  I  by  no  means 
desire  to  repeat  the  nauseous  dose,  for  the  sake  of 
the  fugitive  dream.  Shall  I  tell  you  that  I  bear 
this  melancholy  situation  with  that  meritorious  con- 
stancy and  resignation  which  most  people  boast  of? 
No  ;  for  I  really  cannot  help  it.  I  bear  it  because 
I  must  bear  it,  whether  I  will  or  no.  I  think  of 
nothing  but  killing  time  the  best  way  I  can,  now 
that  he  has  become  mine  enemy.  It  is  my  reso- 
lution to  sleep  in  the  carriage  the  remainder  of  the 
journey."  Poor  worldling !  is  this  all  that  you 
have  gained,  even  in  time  ? 

But  it  may,  moreover,  be  useful  to  know,  that 
this  noble  personage  was  deemed  peculiarly  fortu- 
nate among  the  worldly.  We  therefore  quote  a 
passage  from  a  letter  addressed  to  Lord  Chesterfield, 
by  a  still  more  celebrated  worldling  and  infidel, 
Voltaire,  and  which  likewise  proves  that  he  also 
thought  but  meanly  of  all  the  world  can  give. 

"  Tully,"  says  he,  "  wrote  a  fine  treatise  on  Old 
Age,  but  he  did  not  realize  his  assertions,  and  his 
latter  years  were  far  from  being  happy.     You  have 


WHERE    TO    FIND    HAPPINESS.  81 

lived  longer  and  more  happily  than  he  did.  Your 
lot  has  been,  and  is  still,  one  of  the  most  desirable 
in  that  great  lottery  where  the  prizes  are  so  few, 
and  where  the  great  prize  of  constant  happiness 
has  never  yet  been  drawn  by  any  one.  Your  phil- 
osophy has  never  been  discomposed  by  those  phan- 
toms which  have  sometimes  overset  pretty  good 
heads,  nor  have  you  ever  been,  in  any  respect,  a 
pretender,  or  the  dupe  of  pretenders,  which,  in  my 
estimation,  is  an  uncommon  degree  of  merit,  and 
contributes  to  that  shadow  of  felicity  which  may 
be  enjoyed  in  this  short  life." 

Here  we  have  the  testimony  of  one  who  likewise 
enjoyed  the  world's  highest  favours  and  distinctions, 
that  its  felicity  is  but  a  shadow, — that  its  prizes 
are  few,  and  the  greatest  prize  unattainable, — and 
that  the  man  who  could  write  a  fine  treatise  on  Old 
Age,  was,  nevertheless,  (being  devoid  of  the  con- 
solations of  religion,)  not  happy  in  his  latter  years. 
And  we  have  this  shadow  of  felicity  attributed  to 
him  who  himself  tells  us,  he  did  not  possess  it. 
In  similar  language,  he  who  is  told  that  his  lot  is 
so  favoured,  compares  worldly  pleasure  to  a  dream^ 
which  has  no  existence  but  in  fancy.  Yet,  if  it 
were  real,  it  is  not  enviable ;  for  it  is  not  durable. 
It  withers  as  certainly  as  the  opening  leaf  is  nipped 
by  the  frost  of  winter.  Its  tendency  is  to  decay. 
Place  a  man  on  the  highest  pinnacle  of  worldly 
prosperity,  and  there  let  him  remain  while  in  the 


82  THE    YOUNG    SHOWN 

body ;  he  may  feel  enjoyment,  but  it  ceases  neces 
sarily,  and  of  itself.  To  suppose  an  impossible 
case,  as  we  are  constituted,  that  some  one  were 
continued  on  earth,  with  youth,  health,  and  all  the 
gifts  of  time,  for  a  thousand  years,  satiety  and  dis- 
gust would  arise  from  the  repetition  of  pleasure  so 
unsubstantial  as  those  the  world  affords.  In  the 
possession  of  such,  an  immortal  spirit  cannot  solace 
itself.  They  neither  ennoble  nor  elevate.  They 
are  trifling,  they  are  degrading,  they  are  vain  !* 

And  is  it  for  these  that  the  worldly  so  anxiously 
seek;  for  which  they,  with  so  much  eagerness, 
toil ;  and  for  which  they  lose  heaven  ?  Are  these 
a  fair  exchange  for  everlasting  life  ?  "  0  my  soul, 
come  not  thou  into  their  secret ;  unto  their  assem- 
bly, mine  honour,  be  not  thou  united." 

But  possibly  the  young  may  imagine,  or  may 
be  told,  that  religion  is  gloomy,  and  that  the  only 
satisfaction  that  can  be  derived  from  it,  is  in  the 
hope  to  which  it  gives  rise  in  the  view  of  another 

*  An  anecdote  occurs  to  the  writer,  which  was  related  to  her 
by  her  lamented  father,  Sir  John  Sinclair.  He  was  invited  by  a 
late  eminent  statesman,  Lord  Melville,  then  high  in  office,  to 
spend  New  Year's  Day  with  him  at  Wimbledon  Common.  He 
arrived  there  the  day  before,  and  in  the  morning  repaired  to  the 
chamber  of  his  host,  to  wish  him  a  happy  new  year.  "  It  had 
need  be  happier  than  the  last,"  replied  Lord  M.,  "  for  I  cannot 
recollect  a  single  happy  day  in  it."  And  this  was  the  man  who 
was  the  envy  of  many,  being  considered  at  the  height  of  worldly 
prosperity ! 


WHERE    TO    FIND    HAPPINESS.  83 

state  of  existence.  Ah !  think  not  so.  How 
many  testimonies  might  be  adduced,  to  give  the 
lie  to  a  representation  so  false !  How  many, 
among  the  gay  and  the  prosperous,  have  confessed, 
when  changed  by  grace,  that  they  knew  not  joy 
until  they  tasted  it  pure  and  unmingled  from  its 
fountain, — godliness. 

Perhaps  we  may  be  permitted,  in  proof  of  this 
assertion,  to  quote  the  language  of  a  young  and 
beautiful  woman,  living  among  the  most  distin- 
guished inhabitants,  and  in  the  gayest  circles  of 
the  French  capital.  Here,  every  thing  to  allure 
was  present,  and  the  world,  in  all  its  splendour, 
held  out  its  most  attractive  fascinations.  She  was 
the  daughter  of  Baron  Cuvier,  and  the  name  of 
her  eminent  sire  ensured  her  the  notice  and  regard 
of  the  world. 

But  Clementine  had  sought  and  found  u  the 
pearl  of  great  price,"  and  had  learned  to  despise 
the  glitter  of  earth's  parade.  "  I  want  to  tell  you," 
she  writes,  "  how  happy  I  am.  My  heart  has  at 
length  felt,  what  my  mind  has  long  understood; 
the  sacrifice  of  Christ  answers  to  all  my  wishes, 
and  meets  all  the  wants  of  my  soul ;  and  since  I 
have  been  enabled  to  embrace,  with  ardour,  all  its 
provisions,  my  heart  enjoys  a  sweet  and  incompa- 
rable tranquillity.  Formerly,  I  vaguely  assured 
myself  that  a  merciful  God  would  pardon  me  ;  but 
I  now  feel  that  I  have  obtained  that  pardon, — thai 


84  THE    YOUNG    SHOWN 

i 

I  obtain  it  every  moment, — and  I  experience  inex- 
pressible delight  in  seeking  it  at  the  foot  of  the 
cross.  My  heart  is  full,  and  it  is  now  that  I  un- 
derstand the  angelic  song,  l  Glory  to  God  in  the 
highest,  and  on  earth  peace,  good  will  towards 
men.'" 

In  another  letter  she  writes,  "I  experience  a 
pleasure  in  reading  the  Bible,  which  I  have  never 
felt  before  ;  it  attracts  and  fixes  me  to  an  incon- 
ceivable degree ;  and  I  seek  sincerely  there,  and 
only  there,  the  truth.  When  I  compare  the  calm 
peace  which  the  smallest  and  most  imperceptible 
grain  of  faith  gives  to  the  soul,  with  all  that  the 
world  alone  can  give  of  joy,  or  happiness,  or  glory, 
I  feel  that  the  least  in  the  kingdom  of  heaven  is  a 
hundred  times  more  blessed  than  the  greatest  and 
most  elevated  of  the  men  of  the  world." 

And  again  she  says,  "  the  certainty,  that  without 
divine  grace  I  can  do  nothing,  but  that  that  grace 
is  always  with  me,  that  it  surrounds  me,  preserves 
me,  supports  me, — this  sweet  assurance  fills  my 
heart ;  and  thus  I  feel  most  profoundly,  that  faith 
alone  can  satisfy  the  void  which  I  sometimes  used 
to  feel  in  my  soul.  The  profound  conviction,  that 
there  is  an  infinite  and  merciful  Being,  who  orders 
all  things, — that  not  a  hair  of  the  head  falls  with- 
out his  permission, — and  that  he  will  control  every 
circumstance  for   my  real  welfare,  gives  me    an 


WHERE    TO    FIND    HAPPINESS.  85 

habitual  peace  and  tranquillity  which  nothing  else 
could  inspire."* 

And  is  there  ground  for  suspicion  here  that 
gloom  possessed  the  mind  ?  Is  there  reason  to 
apprehend  that  religion  was,  to  this  young  person, 
the  source  of  melancholy,  and  that  she  only  re- 
sorted to  it  as  a  subterfuge,  earth's  gifts  having 
failed  her  ?  No  ;  it  is  distinctly  stated  in  these 
valuable  extracts,  that  it  "  answers  to  all  her  wish- 
es, and  meets  all  the  ivants  of  her  soul ;"  that 
"  incomparable  tranquillity,  habitual  peace,  and 
inexpressible  delight"  were  experienced  in  con- 
sequence of  a  reception  of  gospel  truth  ;  that  faith 
can  alone  satisfy  the  void  that  is  felt  in  the  soul  of 
man  ;  and  that  nothing  else  can  inspire  the  habitual 
peace  which  true  religion  imparts. 

Yet  language  like  this  is  not  peculiar ;  it  is 
common  to  all  who  have  learned  to  place  their 
confidence  in  a  crucified  Redeemer.  Among  gen- 
uine believers  we  never  hear  the  voice  of  despon- 
dency or  of  complaint,  unless  when  faith  fails,  and 
they  are  unable  to  realize  their  interest  in  the 
blessings  of  salvation.  Give  them  the  possession, 
and  the  anticipation  of  these,  and  they  ask  no 
higher  joy  ;  entire  satisfaction  is  the  result.     "  The 

*  A  Memoir  of  Clementine  Cuvier  appeared  in  the  Evangeli- 
cal Magazine,  in  1828.  The  writer  is  indebted  for  these  ex- 
tracts from  her  letters,  to  an  interesting  little  work  entitled, 
"The  Flower  Faded."     By  John  Angell  James. 

8 


86  THE    YOUNG    SHOWN 

statutes  of  the  Lord  rejoice  the  heart,  and  his 
people  rejoice  in  his  Word,  as  those  that  find  great 
spoil." 

If  we  are  favoured  by  familiar  intercourse  with 
the  pious,  or  if  we  read  the  accounts  of  them, 
transmitted  to  us  by  those  who  are  so,  we  cannot 
fail,  also,  to  be  struck  with  the  conviction,  that  re- 
markable support  and  consolation,  along  with  their 
trials,  are  afforded  them,  and  that  tranquillity  and 
confidence,  in  days  of  adversity,  and  at  the  hour 
of  death,  is  the  fruit  of  reliance  on  the  Saviour. 

The  authoress  hopes  she  may  be  forgiven  for 
mentioning  the  experience  of  a  much  loved  sister, 
whose  resignation  and  peace  on  a  death-bed  were 
eminently  conspicuous.  This  endeared  relative  was, 
earlier  than  many  of  her  contemporaries,  called 
to  her  everlasting  rest ;  but  not  before  she  had  left, 
for  the  benefit  of  others,  a  short  but  luminous 
compendium  of  her  faith,  or  before  she  had  proved 
its  sincerity,  by  her  separation  in  heart  from  the 
world,  and  by  the  excellence  of  her  temper,  and 
her  practice. 

That  religion  was  not  in  her  productive  of 
gloom,  may  be  gathered  from  some  observations 
which  have  been  noticed  in  her  memoir,  and  which 
are  still  fresh  in  the  memory  of  the  writer,  to 
whom  they  were  made.  "  I  have  never,"  said  she, 
"  been  so  happy  as  last  night.  I  was  not  able  to 
sleep,  and  began  to  meditate  on  the  employment 


WHERE    TO    FIND     HAPPINESS.  87 

of  saints  and  angels  around  the  throne.  I  rumina- 
ted until  I  thought  I  saw  the  multitude  of  the  re- 
deemed, which  no  man  can  number.  I  fancied  I 
heard  their  angelic  voices,  singing  the  song  of 
Moses  and  the  Lamb.  Methought  I  joined  with 
them,  and  at  last  I  concluded,  by  praying  that  I 
might  be  soon,  if  not  immediately,  removed,  to 
unite  my  note  of  praise  with  theirs."  u  Such  ex- 
pressions," adds  her  memorialist,  "  illustrate  the 
character  of  those  highly-favoured  moments,  in 
which  God  is  sometimes  pleased  to  animate  his 
faithful  people,  by  a  peculiar  blessing  upon  their 
meditations,  concerning  the  heavenly  state.  '  He 
thus  giveth  songs  in  the  night.' " 

When  days  and  months  of  languishing  were  af- 
terwards appointed  her,  confidence  in  God,  and 
undisturbed  serenity  in  the  prospect  of  a  future 
state,  continued  to  be  experienced  by  her.  It  is 
stated,  that  "  at  this  period  she  said  to  a  friend,  '  I 
never  spend  one  dull  hour,1  although  she  was  very 
often  necessarily  left  alone,  being  unable  to  bear 
the  fatigue  of  society  for  any  length  of  time  toge- 
ther. A  younger  sister  one  dfiy  lamented  that  her 
sufferings  were  so  great,  she  replied,  '  I  would 
cheerfully  suffer  it  all  over  again,  that  you  might 
enjoy  the  same  consolation  from  religion,  in  the 
same  circumstances.'  Her  uncommon  patience 
struck  every  one  who  saw  her.  She  never  com- 
plained ;  and  when  it  was  noticed  to  her,  said,  '  it 


88  THE    YOUNG    SHOWN 

would  be  a  wonder  if  I  were  not  patient,  when  I 
have  so  many  mercies  to  be  thankful  for.'  '  Her 
thoughts  and  occupations,'  writes  a  near  relative, 
1  were  in  sickness,  as  they  had  ever  been  in  health, 
such  as  became  one,  so  deeply  impressed  as  she 
had  the  happiness  to  be,  with  the  unspeakable 
comfort,  as  well  as  importance,  which  belongs  to 
the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus.' "  And  again,  it  is  add- 
ed, "  Never  was  a  death-bed  more  tranquil  and 
calm.  Not  a  doubt  nor  a  fear  disturbed  her.  Not 
a  complaint  or  a  murmur  once  escaped  her  lips ; 
all  was  peace,  peace."* 

In  reference  to  what  he  had  beheld  of  her  bodily 
sufferings  and  peaceful  state,  and  to  the  value  of 
the  Bible  in  promoting  a  confidence  so  enviable,  a 
relative  to  whom  she  was  tenderly  attached  thus 
bore  testimony  : — "  If  called  upon  to  tend  the  sick- 
bed, and  to  witness  the  protracted  sufferings  of  one 
unto  whom  the  heart  is  closely  knit,  by  the  double 
ties  of  reverence  and  love  ;  have  we  not  found, 
that,  whilst  the  taper  of  life  is  imperceptibly  hast- 
ening to  extinction,  the  pure  lamp  of  faith  still  burns 
internally,  with  unquenchable  and  undiminished, 
nay,  even  with  increasing  brightness  ?  Have  we 
not  perceived,  that  when  all  human  help  is  vain, — 
when  the  memory  of  the  past  is  fading  away, — 

*  Memoir  of  Hannah  Sinclair,  prefixed  to  her  Letter  on  the 
Principles  of  the  Christian  Faith.  By  the  Rev.  Leigh  Rich- 
mond. 


WHERE    TO    FIND    HAPPINESS.  89 

when  the  occurrences  of  the  present  cease  to  inter- 
est, and  all  personal  concern  in  the  future  events  of 
this  world  is  about  to  be  cut  off  for  ever,  the  mercies 
of  our  God,  and  the  promises  of  our  Redeemer, 
arc  the  theme  on  which  the  dying  sufferer  still 
loves  to  expatiate  and  to  reflect  ?  When  the  elo- 
quence of  the  orator,  the  liveliness  of  the  wit,  and 
the  sublimity  of  the  philosopher,  can  no  longer  fas- 
cinate or  instruct,  the  Scriptures  are  still  listened 
to  with  avidity  and  delight.  When  a  transient 
slumber  has  recruited  for  a  time  the  fast  decaying 
strength  of  the  body,  how  eagerly  does  the  mind 
again  seek  to  refresh  itself  at  this  pure  and  inex- 
haustible source  of  spiritual  peace  and  serenity ! 
It  is  then  that  the  perusal  of  the  Bible  disarms 
death  of  all  its  terrors, — it  reminds  the  expiring 
Christian,  that  in  humble  reliance  on  the  Saviour's 
sufferings  and  intercession,  he  is  hastening  to  an 
inheritance  of  eternal  happiness,  far  greater  than  it 
has  entered  the  heart  of  man  to  conceive."* 

And  again,  we  ask,  is  gloom  manifest  here  ? 
Were  dissatisfaction,  and  discontent,  the  result  of 
a  life  spent  in  the  service  of  God  ?  And  was  sor- 
row, or  comfort,  the  most  apparent  at  its  close  ? 
The  reply  to  such  inquiries  is  evident.  But  if  we 
peruse  the  writings,  or  listen  to  the  melancholy 


*  Speech  of  Sir  George  Sinclair,  Bart,   to  the  Bible  Society 
at  Kingston,  in  1818. 

8* 


90  THE    YOUNG    SHOWN 

lamentations  of  those  who  have  spent  their  livet  m 
the  pursuit  of  worldly  gratifications,  we  shall  soon 
be  convinced  where  chagrin  shows  itself,  and  where 
gloom  really  exists.  The  contrast  is  striking  !  Let 
not  the  subject  be  carelessly  and  hastily  considered ; 
let  it  be  deeply  pondered,  and  viewed  with  the 
seriousness  it  demands.  If  the  pleasures  of  the 
world  afford  not  satisfaction  even  in  time,  where  is 
the  inducement  to  make  them  our  portion,  for  time 
is  the  limit  of  their  durance ;  they  pretend  not  to 
exist  beyond  it.  They  come  with  a  flattering 
show,  and  dazzling  appearance  of  earthly  happi- 
ness, to  entrap  the  unwary ;  but,  when  grasped, 
they  are  discovered  to  be  phantoms  instead  of 
realities ;  and  even  if  they  should  be  enjoyed  for  a 
moment,  they  vanish  when  we  most  need  their 
aid, — in  the  season  of  affliction,  of  poverty,  of  sick- 
ness, of  old  age,  and  at  the  hour  of  death  ! 

But  we  began  this  chapter  by  addressing  those 
interesting  characters  among  the  young,  whose  sin- 
cere desire  it  is  to  live  as  they  ought,  but  who, 
from  untoward  circumstances,  have  not  been  ac- 
customed to  view  genuine  religion  in  its  just  light. 
With  them  we  would  importunately  plead.  Oh  ! 
halt,  inquire,  pray.  Is  it  rational  to  suppose  that 
God  claims  no  more  of  your  time,  of  your  thoughts, 
and  of  your  affections,  than  the  worldly  are  dis- 
posed to  allow  ?  Can  religion  be  comprised  in  a 
few  cold,  heartless,  ceremonies  ?     Can  the  world's 


WHERE    TO    FIND    HAPPINESS.  91 

pleasures  ensure  lasting  happiness  ?  And  if  not, 
how  is  joy  here,  and  joy  hereafter,  to  be  attained  ? 
In  these  questions,  your  conduct  during  life  is 
involved.  Oh,  then,  solve  them  without  delay. 
If  the  will  of  God  is  revealed  in  the  Scriptures, 
there,  with  Clementine,  seek  the  truth.  Seek  it 
unvveariedly,  seek  it  prayerfully.  Light,  it  is  prp- 
mised,  shall  be  given  when  thus  sought,  to  walk  in 
the  path  ;  straight,  indeed,  may  be  the  entrance, 
and  narrow  the  way,  but  still  the  hallowed  path 
that  leads  to  unending  felicity. 

And  yet,  with  all  the  flood  of  divine  light  that  is 
around  us,  it  is  possible  that  some  young  person 
may  be  disposed  to  reply,  "  I  do  not  understand 
your  meaning.  I  do  not  know  to  what  line  of  con- 
duct you  are  so  solicitous  that  I  should  conform. 
I  am  willing  to  be  instructed,  but,  with  the  Ethio- 
pian, when  asked,  '  Understandest  thou  what  thou 
readest  V  I  am  ready  to  say,  how  can  I,  except 
some  one  should  guide  me  ?" 

That  an  individual,  having  little  access  to  in- 
struction in  the  all-important  subject  of  religion 
may,  possibly,  with  anxiety,  seek  it  from  our  feeble 
efforts,  is  an  overwhelming  consideration,  calculated 
to  awaken  the  tenderest  interest. 

Oh  !  that  direction  were  given  to  our  thoughts 
and  our  pen ;  that  we  could  be  instrumental  in 
pointing  out  to  a  single  inquiring  fellow-creature 
the  way  of  life  ;  that  our  attempts  to  enlighten,  if 


92  THE    YOUNG    SHOWN,  &C. 

it  were  but  one  individual,  who  seeks  after  truth, 
may,  by  the  blessing  of  God,  be  crowned  with  suc- 
cess. Greatly  would  such  a  result  gladden,  and 
rich  indeed  would  be  our  recompense.  Depend- 
ing, therefore,  upon,  and  earnestly  praying  for,  the 
influences  of  divine  grace,  that  we  may  write  what 
is.  in  accordance  with  the  mind  of  the  Spirit,  we 
proceed  to  state  what  is,  in  our  apprehension,  the 
method  revealed  to  us  in  sacred  writ,  by  which 
men  seek  and  find  peace  with  God,  peace  of  con- 
science, peace  in  life,  and  peace  in  death,  with 
"  an  entrance  ministered  abundantly  into  the  ever 
lasting  kingdom  of  our  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus 
Christ." 


CHAPTER  VI. 

THE  WAY  OF  SALVATION. 


What  is  essential  to  salvation  clearly  revealed— Difficulties  where  there  need 
be  none — A  sense  of  helplessness  nc  tri—nij — A  sense  of  sin  very  encour- 
aging— Receiving  Christ— Salvation  finished— For  whom  ?  those  who 
desire  it  in  whole — Believer  discouraged  by  defect  in  sanctification — Ad- 
dress to  the  careless — Delay  dangerous — Warfare  commences  with  spiritual 
life. 


•'  Inscribed  above  the  portal,  from  afar 
Conspicuous  as  the  brightness  of  a  star, 
Legible  only  by  the  light  they  give, 
Stand  the  soul-quickening  words,  Believe  and  Live." 

To  point  out  the  way  of  salvation  generally, 
taking  the  Bible  for  our  guide,  is  comparatively 
easy.  All  that  is  necessary  for  men  to  know,  in 
order  to  their  escaping  eternal  condemnation  and 
inheriting  everlasting  life,  is,  thanks  be  to  God, 
plainly  revealed.  Many  difficulties  may  arise 
when  perusing  the  Sacred  Oracles,  in  the  compre- 
hension of  mysteries,  in  the  construction  of  pas- 
sages, as  to  the  chronology  of  dates,  or,  in  some 
instances,  in  the  meaning  of  words,  but  there  is  no 
difficulty  in  ascertaining  the  method  by  which  God 
has  reconciled  sinners  to  himself,  and  by  which 
guilty  men  are  made  "  partakers  of  the  divine  na- 
ture, having  escaped  the  corruption  that  is  in  the 


94  THE    WAY    OF    SALVATION. 

world  through  lust."  In  these  interesting  disco- 
veries of  his  counsel,  and  of  his  working,  there  is 
nothing  obscure  or  enigmatical  in  holy  writ, — all 
is  level  to  any  capacity, — and  clearness  and  sim- 
plicity, when  treating  of  such  topics,  are  charac- 
teristic of  what  is  written  by  the  inspired  penmen. 
And  yet,  it  is  often  found,  that  what  is  apparent- 
ly so  plain,  and  so  intelligible  to  every  one  who 
will  give  his  attention  to  the  subject,  is  through  the 
blindness  of  our  understandings,  and  the  perversity 
of  our  wills,  not  easily  reduced  to  practice.  And 
difficulties  seem  to  arise  in  our  individually  engag- 
ing in  the  service  of  the  Eternal,  where,  in  fact, 
excepting  in  ourselves,  none  exist.  And,  although 
a  highway  is  opened,  the  way  of  holiness,  yet,  in 
their  personal  experience,  too  many  act  and  feel 
as  if  its  entrance  were  still  closed  against  them. 
They  are  disposed  to  say,  "  We  cannot  serve  the 
Lord, — we  know  not  how  the  attempt  is  to  be 
made,  or  where  the  deficiency  lies,  but  darkness 
obscures  the  heavenly  path,  and  we  are  unable 
to  walk  in  it."  And  many  go  on  from  year  to  year, 
with  languid  desires,  and  faint  resolutions  of  amend- 
ment, purposing  that  they  will  do  something,  and 
scarcely  knowing  what  they  mean  to  do ;  sensible 
that  they  are  not  Christians  in  the  Bible  accepta- 
tion of  the  term,  and  determining  that  they  will 
become  so  at  a  future  period,  and  yet  remaining 
unaltered  in  their  character,  and  unregenerated  in 


THE    WAY    OF    SALVATION.  95 

their  life.  And  it  is  well,  if  thus  procrastinating, 
they  do  not  "  resolve  and  re-resolve,  and  then  die 
the  same." 

Should  any  one,  into  whose  hands  these  pages 
may  fall,  be  conscious  of  an  inability  to  submit 
himself  to  God, — should  he  experience  that  effort 
is  vain, — that  any  attempt  he.  has  hitherto  made 
has  proved  fruitless, — it  may  be  encouraging  to 
him  to  learn,  that  he  has  already  gained  a  neces- 
sary step  in  the  way  to  heaven, — a  step  so  essen- 
tial, that  no  progress  can  be  made  in  the  divine  life 
without  it ;  we  allude  to  the  knowledge  that  he  is 
helpless.  It  is  true,  child  of  Adam,  that  unrenew- 
ed by  grace,  "you  are  yet  without  strength — you 
cannot  serve  the  Lord."  Paralysed  in  every  mem- 
ber, enervated  in  every  limb,  you  lie  prostrate 
without  the  power  to  rise  ;  and  the  dead  and  the 
unborn  have  not  less  capacity  to  glorify  God  on 
earth  than  you  have.  Shrink  not  from  the  thorough 
conviction  of  the  humiliating  fact.  Let  it  be 
deeply  impressed  on  the  inmost  recesses  of  the 
soul.  Nor  can  you  be  too  much  abased  from  a 
sense  of  impotence  and  disqualification  for  all  that 
is  spiritually  good.  In  this  condition,  we  shall 
suppose  the  individual  whom  we  address  finds  him- 
self, without  power,  without  knowledge,  without 
capacity,  without  spiritual  life,  and  sensible  that  he 
is  deficient  in  all. 

If  this,  my  reader,  is  your  state,  earnestly  we 


96  THE    WAY    OF    SALVATION. 

entreat  you  to  proceed  in  your  inquiries,  and  to 
ascertain,  as  in  the  sight  of  the  Omniscient,  if  to 
helplessness,  in  your  case,  is  not  added  guilt.  Are 
there  not  many  instances  in  which  you  have  offend- 
ed, and  do  offend,  God  ?  Do  you  keep  'perfectly 
His  law,  which  is  holy,  just,  and  good  ?  To  what 
do  your  desires  ana!  affections  tend  1  To  God  or 
the  world ;  to  sin  or  holiness  ;  to  what  is  earthly 
or  what  is  heavenly  ?  There  is  an  opposition  in 
each  of  these,  that  makes  it  impossible  we  can 
love  what  is  so  diametrically  contrary  ;  one  of  each 
only  possesses  our  hearts,  which  possesses  yours  ? 
Do  you  delight  in  intercourse  with  God,  in  prayer 
and  praise  ?  Is  it  your  chief  ambition  to  do  His 
will  ?  Is  it  nothing  to  you  should  men  condemn, 
if  God  justifies  ?  Do  you  thirst  for  worldly  grati- 
fications, or  for  those  purer  joys  which  are  at  God's 
right  hand  for  evermore  ?  Or  can  you  break  the 
commandments  of  God  without  remorse  ? — virtual- 
ly saying,  "  I  will  not  have  the  Lord  to  reign  over 
me."  If,  when  entering  on  these,  or  similar  in- 
quiries, defect  be  apparent ;  if  you  are  sensible,  in 
the  words  of  inspiration,  which  cannot  delude, 
"  that  in  you  dwelleth  no  good  thing ;  that  the 
whole  head  is  sick,  and  the  whole  heart  faint ;  that 
from  the  sole  of  the  foot  even  unto  the  head,  there 
is  no  soundness  ;  that  by  nature  you  are  a  child  of 
wrath,  even  as  others ;" — if  this  be  your  heart-felt 
experience,  then  the  very  ground-work  of  Chris- 


THE    WAY    OF    SALVATION.  97 

tianity  is  found  in  you  ;  and  warranted  by  the 
Word  of  God,  we  would  say,  for  you  there  is 
hope.  The  entrance  to  the  road  to  heaven  is  se- 
cured ;  and  if  the  threshold  be  merely  crossed,  the 
path  lies  open.  Oh!  turn  not  back;  move  on- 
wards, "  ye  are  not  far  from  the  kingdom  of  God." 
"  Before  you  is  set  life  and  death,  blessing  and 
cursing,  choose  ye,  this  day,  whom  ye  will  serve." 
It  is  the  Spirit  of  God  convinces  of  sin  ;*  and 
where  an  abiding  perception  that  we  are  dead  in 
trespasses  and  sins  is  implanted  by  his  divine 
agency,  in  the  encouraging  language  that  was  ad- 
dressed to  the  Church  of  old,  we  would  say, 
"  Arise,  shine,  for  thy  light  is  come,  and  the  glory 
of  the  Lord  is  risen  upon  thee." 

The  next  advance  in  the  way  to  eternal  blessed- 
ness, for  which,  if  in  these  circumstances,  you  are 
prepared,  is  the  most  essential,  and  the  most  de- 
cisive, as  to  the  prospect  of  reaching  the  promised 
rest,  that  can  be  taken.  It  invariably  obtains  all 
necessary  aid  for  the  helpless,  provides  a  healing 
balm  for  soul-sickness,  and  ensures  a  free  pardon 
for  the  most  guilty  ! — We  mean,  the  acceptance 
of  Christ  as  our  Saviour. 

The  inestimable  blessings  of  His  salvation  are 
offered  to  us, — not  forced  upon  us.  They  are 
freely  given,  but  they  must  be  received ;  they  are 

'     *John,  xvi.  8. 
9 


98  THE    WAY    OF    SALVATION. 

held  out,  but  they  must  be  taken.     There  is  but 
one  method   of  communication  with   Him  "  that 
liveth,  and  was  dead,  and  is  alive  for  evermore,"  by 
which  we  can  make  known  our  willingness  to  par 
ticipate  in  the  benefits  of  His  sacrince,-and  that 
is  prayer.     By  prayer  we  hold  converse  with  (*od, 
and  the  helpless  and  the  guilty  may,  with  assur 
ance  of  success,  implore  strength  and  forgiveness 
from  Him  who  is   mighty  to   save.     "When  he 
saw  that  there  was  no  man,  and  wondered  that  there 
was   no   intercessor,  his  arm   brought  salvation." 
That  powerful  arm,  on  which  creation  leans,  bore 
the  mighty  load,  beneath  the  weight  of  which  men 
and  angels  would  have  sunk.     And  well-nigh  had 
He  fainted  under  it,  when  strong  crying,  and  tears, 
and  bloody  sweat,  were  wrung  from  him,  ere  he 
could  say,  "  It  is  finished."     Hear,  and  exult,  in- 
habitant of  the  world !  He  whose  justice  demanded 
satisfaction  for  sins  that  cannot  be  numbered,  it  is 
He  that  pronounced  the  work  of  redemption  "  fin- 
ished "     It  is  not  half  accomplished,  it  is  not  un- 
certainly accomplished,  it   is   altogether  finished 
At  creation  "  God  saw  every  thing  that  he   had 
made,  and  behold,  it  was  very  good."     And  like 
the  other  works  of  God,  this  work  is  also  perfect ; 
and  He  who  reigns  supreme  uttered,  "  It  is  finish- 
ed."    And  what  potent  arm  shall  in  an  individual 
case  hinder  the  triumphant  Redeemer  from  confer- 
ring the  redemption  which  he  h^h  finished  !  '  Ye 


THE    WAV   OF   SALVATION. 


99 


are  God's  building,"  said  an  apostle.     And  which 
of  us,  intending  to  build  a  tower,  sitteth  not  down 
first  and  counted,  the  eost,  whether  he  have  suffi- 
cient  to   finish   it?     And   shall   IB   Man    tins 
Emanuel,  "begin  to  build,  and  not  be  able   to 
finish'"     Or   shall   he,  meeting  the   strong  man 
armed,  with  thousands  of  his  lieges,  send  an  em- 
bassage of  peace,  because  he  is  unequal  for  the 
strife'     No,  surely.     He   counted  the  cost,  and 
great  as  the  cost  was,  the  price  was  fully  and  wil- 
lingly  paid.      "Jesus   knowing  all   things   that 
should  come  upon  him,  went  forth,  and  said  unto 
them,  Whom  seek  ye  T     "  I  have  a  baptism  to  be 
baptized  with,  and  how  am  I  straitened  til  it  be 
accomplished  ?"     "  The  cup  which  my  Father  hath 
<nven  me,  shall  I  not  drink  it?"     The  work  ,s 
done,  and  the  redeemed,  individually  and  collec 
lively,  are  safe  in  the  everlasting  arms,  and  none 
can  pluck  them  thence  ! 

But  what  is  finished?  Not  the  salvation  of  men 
universallv-for  all,  we  are  assured,  are  not  saved, 
but  the  salvation  of  those  who  come  to  Christ  to 
receive  what  He  lived  and  died  to  bestow ;  a  free 
pardon,  entire  sanctification,  and  eternal  happiness. 
"  Speak  ye  comfortably  to  Jerusalem,  and  cry  unto 
her,  that  her  warfare  is  accomplished,  that  her  m- 
..quity  is  pardoned ;  for  she  hath  received  of  the 
Lord's  hand  double  for  all  her  sins.'"  "  Christ  loved 


*  Isaiah  xl.  2. 


100  THE    WAY    OF    SALVATION. 

the  Church,  and  gave  himself  for  it ;  that  He  might 
sanctify  and  cleanse  it  with  the  washing  of  water  by 
the  Word ;  that  He  might  present  it  to  Himself  a 
glorious  Church,  not  having  spot,  or  wrinkle,  or 
any  such  thing ;  but  that  it  should  be  holy,  and 
without  blemish."*  "  The  gift  of  God  is  eternal 
life,  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord."t  And  again 
we  ask,  are  these  the  gifts  for  which  you  plead  at 
a  throne  of  grace  ?  Do  you  importunately  pray 
for  forgiveness  of  your  daily  multiplying  transgres- 
sions for  the  Redeemer's  sake  ?  And  do  you,  with 
equal  earnestness,  implore  to  be  renewed  in  the 
spirit  of  your  mind,  to  be  made  a  new  creature, 
one  of  Christ's  peculiar  people  who  are  zealous  of 
good  works  ?  And  is  the  purchased  possession, 
the  inheritance  of  the  saints,  all  your  salvation  and 
all  your  desire  ?  If  so,  hear  the  joyful  sound,  your 
redemption  is  finished.  "  Christ  hath  redeemed 
you  from  the  curse  of  the  law,  being  made  a  curse 
for  you."|  "  God  hath  from  the  beginning  chosen 
you  to  salvation  through  sanctification  of  the  Spirit, 
and  belief  of  the  truth."||  "  This  is  the  record,  that 
God  hath  given  to  us  eternal  life ;  and  this  life  is 
in  his  Son."§  It  is  by  receiving  what  Christ  pur- 
chased, and  offers,  that  we  "  enter  in  through  the 
gates  to  the  city."     This  is  the  good  old  way  by 


*  Eph.  v.  25-27.        t  Rom.  vi.  23. 
%  Gal.  iii.  13.        ||  2  Thes.  ii.  13.        §  1  John  v.  11. 


THE    WAY    OF    SALVATION.  101 

which,  if  we  walk  therein,  we  shall  find  rest  for 
our  souls.  A  way  opened  by  anguish  and  death 
on  the  part  of  the  Surety ;  but  a  way  pleasant  and 
easy  of  access  on  the  part  of  the  redeemed.  There 
is  no  other  way  by  which  what  we  need  can  be 
given  us. — Righteousness,  salification,  strength, 
atonement,  we  want  and  have  not.  Thus,  and 
thus  alone,  are  gifts  so  precious  obtained.  Left  to 
ourselves  we  must  faint,  and  fall,  and  die  the  second 
death  ;  supported  by  Omnipotence,  "  we  are  made 
more  than  conquerors  through  Him  that  loved  us." 
When  united  to  Christ,  the  work  of  renovating  the 
soul  becomes  His,  not  ours.  "We  are  His  work- 
manship, created  in  Christ  Jesus  unto  good  works."* 
"  If  this  counsel  or  work  be  of  men  it  might  come 
to  nought.  But  if  it  be  of  God,  it  cannot  be  over- 
thrown, for  who  shall  be  found  to  fight  against 
God?" 

These  are  the  cheering  assurances  with  which 
the  Word  of  God  abounds ;  and  which  are  ad- 
dressed to  the  whole  human  race  who  seek  an  in- 
terest in  the  Redeemer,  to  him  that  thirsts,  to  him 
that  asks,  to  whomsoever  will.  But  having  applied 
to  Christ  for  his  finished  salvation,  and  thus  laid 
our  help  upon  Him  for  all  spiritual  benefits,  for 
peace  here,  and  blessedness  eternally ;  are  we 
thenceforward,  it  may  be  inquired,  become  a  por- 

*  Eph.  ii.  10. 
9* 


102  THE    WAY    OF    SALVATION. 

tion  of  his  little  flock,  to  whom  it  is  the  Father's 
good  pleasure  to  give  the  kingdom  ? 

We  have  already  stated  that  theworkofredemp 
tion  is  completed,  and  that  our  part  is  to  accept 
of  it ;  therefore,  in  so  doing  we  are  equally  safe  as 
if  we  were  now  on  the  right  hand  of  our  Judge. 
And  yet  there  are  many  who  deceive  themselves 
with  the  idea  that  they  have  accepted  the  Saviour's 
offered  gifts,  when  in  fact  there  is  nothing  that  they 
are  less  solicitous  to  obtain.  And  in  the  acceptance 
of  the  Redeemer's  purchase  as  a  whole,  insincerity 
may  be  detected  in  those,  who  frequently  say, 
"  Peace,  peace,  when  there  is  no  peace."  It  is  the 
reality,  not  the  semblance,  of  willingness,  that 
brings  any  sinner  to  the  foot  of  the  cross,  and  thus 
ensures  his  salvation.  The  most  unlimited  of  the 
Gospel  invitations,  and  none  can  be  more  free,  are 
nevertheless  addressed  to  those  who  will,  for  they 
only  receive  them.  Some  are  willing  to  receive 
pardon,  who  are  unwilling  that  their  hearts  should 
be  renewed.  They  desire  not  that  the  image  of 
God  may  be  restored,  which  was  lost  by  the  fall. 
Yet  the  design  of  redemption  is  to  make  men  holy 
as  well  as  happy,  the  one  being  the  consequence  ot 
the  other.  Its  efficacy  to  transform  is  ever  visible 
in  the  souls  of  the  redeemed.  It  is  in  us,  and  with 
us,  and  by  us,  that  the  Spirit  of  God  operates ;  and 
to  effect  the  work  of  redemption  irrespective  of 
the  renewal  of  the  heart  to  holiness,  is  impossible. 


THE    WAY    OF    SALVATION.  103 

The  Almighty,  we  may  reverently  affirm,  cannot 
make  a  slave  of  the  world,  continuing  such,  hap- 
py ;  for  the  happiness  God  offers  he  is  unwilling 
to  receive  ;  it  is  distasteful  to  him  ;  it  is  no  happi- 
ness to  him.  The  utterance  of  a  few  cold  words 
in  the  presence  of  the  Eternal,  cannot  deceive  the 
Omnipresent  Searcher  of  the  heart.  He  knows 
what  we  truly  wish,  and  will  not  "  give  ear  unto  a 
prayer  that  goeth  out  of  feigned  lips."  The  desire 
of  sanctincation  is  one  of  the  strongest  evidences 
of  having  received  the  atonement,  and  it  is  inva- 
riably found  in  those  who  sincerely  seek  the  re- 
demption of  Jesus,  for  it  is  an  essential  part  of  that 
redemption  which  his  people  seek.  The  Church 
is  sanctified  in  Christ  ;*  and  its  inheritance  is  among 
them  which  are  sanctified.t  To  save  us,  and  yet 
leave  us  unchanged,  is  as  great  a  contradiction  in 
terms,  as  to  say  a  corpse  is  made  alive  when  it  re- 
mains dead.  It  is  from  our  sins  that  Jesus  came 
to  save 4 

But,  should  any  of  the  careless  or  the  worldly 
say,  they  are  desirous  to  become  Christians  indeed, 
to  come  to  Christ  for  all  his  gifts,  and  to  be  sancti- 
fied as  well  as  pardoned ;  where,  then,  is  the  proof 
that  these  are  their  desires  ?  What  we  are  anxious 
should  be  ours,  we  are  ready  to  embrace  every 
mean  to  acquire ;  and  what  means  have  they  ever 

*  1  Cor.  i.  2.        t  Acts.  xxvi.  18.        \  Matt.  i.  21. 


104  THE    WAY    OF    SALVATION. 

used  to  promote  their  sanctification  ?  None  can 
be  successful,  it  has  been  observed,  without  appli- 
cation in  earnest  to  Him  who  "  giveth  power  to  the 
faint,  and  who,  to  them  that  have  no  might,  in- 
creaseth  strength."  Yet,  subsequent  to  this,  and 
depending  upon  the  assistance  thus  promised,  all 
will  be  resorted  to  that  the  Word  of  God  enjoins, 
seeking  direction  in  the  sacred  page,  and  from  the 
spirit  of  truth.  Our  daily  intercourse  with  society, 
as  well  as  our  solemn  assemblies  ;  our  silent  me- 
ditations, as  well  as  our  outward  duties ;  our  in- 
ward thoughts,  and  our  external  actions,  all  may 
conduce  to  sanctification  ;  and  in  every  thing  the 
Christian  strives  to  advance  and  accomplish  this 
most  desired  end.  He  knows,  indeed,  that  "  with- 
out Christ  he  can  do  nothing  ;"  but  with  equal  cer- 
tainity  he  rejoices  to  know  that  "  it  is  God  which 
worketh  in  him,  both  to  will  and  to  do  of  his  good 
pleasure."  And  thus,  if  the  worldliness  of  our  af- 
fections gives  the  lie  to  our  profession,  no  asser- 
tions, however  positively  affirmed,  can  prove  its 
reality. 

But  here  one  in  whom  the  Holy  Spirit  dwells 
may  be  ready  to  exclaim,  "  Ah  !  you  say  truly,  it 
is  by  the  sanctification  of  their  natures  that  the 
disciples  of  Jesus  are  distinguished.  They  are 
blameless  and  harmless,  the  son  of  God  without 
rebuke,  shining  as  lights  in  the  world,  and  holding 
forth  the  word  of  life.     In  Christ  Jesus  neither 


THE    WAY    OF    SALVATION.  105 

circumcision,  availeth  any  thing,  nor  uncircumcis- 
ion,  but  a  new  creature  ;  and  would  to  God  that 
this  mark  of  belonging  to  his  family  on  earth  were 
mine  !  But  I  can  lay  no  claim  to  a  gift  so  precious 
as  that  of  the  influence  of  divine  grace.  My  heart 
is  so  hard,  my  affections  so  worldly,  and  my  good 
deeds  so  few,  and  so  denied  by  sin,  that  I  must 
conclude  I  am  still  alienated  from  God,  and  have 
no  inheritance  in  his  kingdom. — And  who  taught 
you,  disciple  of  Jesus,  to  feel,  that  the  gift  of  divine 
grace  is  precious  ?  No  man  naturally  esteems  it 
so.  The  gifts  relating  exclusively  to  time,  and  no 
other,  are  what  the  worldly  seek.  Give  them 
health,  and  wealth,  and  pleasure  here,  and  spirit- 
ual attainments  they  never  covet.  Alienation  of 
heart  from  God,  which  you  dread,  belongs  not  to 
you,  for  you  wish  to  participate  in  that  holiness  of 
which  God  is  the  author,  the  depository,  the  foun- 
tain, and,  by  comparison,  the  solitary  instance. 
"  Who  shall  not  fear  thee,  0  Lord,  and  glorify  thy 
name  ?  for  thou  only  art  holy."*  Every  longing  after 
perfection  comes  from  its  source ;  each  prayer  to 
be  freed  from  sin  is  the  effect  of  the  operation  of 
the  Spirit;  the  desire  of  grace  is  grace.  There- 
fore, take  encouragement ;  the  soul  whose  chief 
ambition  is  to  grow  in  holiness,  may  rest  secure  in 
the  Saviour's  promised  aid.     "  He  that  hath  begun 

*  Rev.  xv.  4. 


106  THE    WAY    OF    SALVATION. 

a  good  work  in  you,  will  perform  it  until  the-  day 
of  Jesus  Christ."  Forget  not  that  the  work  is  his. 
"  Every  one  that  is  called  by  my  name,  I  have  cre- 
ated him  for  my  glory,  I  have  formed  him,  yea,  I 
have  made  him."*  Let  the  belief  of  this  animating 
truth  excite  to  more  earnest  prayer,  to  more  un- 
wearied endeavour,  and  to  more  implicit  trust. 
"In  the  Lord  you  have  righteousness  and  strength. 
And  in  the  Lord  shall  all  the  seed  of  Israel  be  justi- 
fied, and  glory  ."t 

There  is  another  class  of  men  whose  consciences 
may  convince  them  of  the  truth  of  what  has  been 
stated, — that  they  are  helpless,  that  they  are  guil- 
ty, and  that  they  must  become  regenerated,  and 
walk  in  newness  of  life,  ere  they  can  be  be  admit- 
ted into  the  presence  of  the  Eternal ;  /md  yet, 
strange  as  it  may  seem,  make  no  attempt,  and  form 
no  resolution,  to  learn  the  way  of  peace.  Oh ! 
that  but  one  in  these  circumstances  would  listen 
while  we  entreat  him  "  to  be  reconciled  to  God." 
These  wondrous  words  are  not  ours,  they  are  what 
the  Holy  Ghost  indites.  They  are  found  in  the 
embassage  of  reconciliation,  which  the  Almighty, 
by  his  servants,  promulgated.  "  Now  then,"  said 
an  apostle,  "  we  are  ambassadors  for  Christ,  as 
though  God  did  beseech  you  by  us,  we  pray  you, 
in   Christ's   stead,   be    ye   reconciled  to   God."J 

*  Isa.  xliii.  7.        t  Isa.  xlv.  24,  25.        t  2  Cor.  v.  20. 


THE    WAY    OF    SALVATION.  107 

Whence  language  thus  entreative,  thus  condescend- 
ing, thus  marvellous  ? — God  beseeches  ! — Christ 
prays  !  Hear,  O  heavens,  and  be  astonished,  O 
earth,  it  is  because  man  will  not  be  reconciled 
to  God  !  "  An  enemy  in  mind  by  wicked  works,"* 
— "  a  friend  of  the  world,  and  an  enemy  of  God,"t 
— is  feeble,  dying,  ruined  man  !  And  how  will  a 
strife  thus  unequal  terminate  ?  On  whom  will  the 
palm  of  victory  be  conferred  ?  Oh  !  be  persuaded 
to  "  kiss  the  Son,  lest  he  be  angry,  and  ye  perish 
from  the  way/'  Truly  may  He  say,  "  I  called, 
and  ye  refused  ;"  /  called  ! — I  besought ! — I  pray- 
ed !  And  still  the  offers  of  reconciliation  sound  in 
your  ears.  u  God  is  in  Christ,  reconciling  the 
world  unto  himself,  not  imputing  their  trespasses 
unto  them."  "  All  things  are  ready,  come  unto  the 
marriage." 

Possibly,  the  heart  of  some  one  who  peruses 
these  lines,  may  be  enlarged  to  run  the  way  of 
God's  commandments.  Possibly,  a  salvation  thus 
graciously,  thus  freely  offered,  some  of  our  readers 
may  feel  inclined  to  accept.  If  so,  with  earnest- 
ness we  would  press  the  necessity  of  not  allowing 
another  hour  to  elapse,  ere  the  life  of  faith  be  be- 
gun. Many  have  designed  to  become  followers  of 
the  Lamb,  and  that  design  has  never  been  put  in 
execution. 

♦Col.  i.  34.        tJas.  iv.  4. 


108  THE    WAY    OF    SALVATION. 

M  In  human  hearts  what  bolder  thoughts  can  rise 
Than  man's  presumption  on  to-morrow's  dawn  1 
Where  is  to-morrow  1 — in  another  world. 
For  numbers  this  is  certain  ;  the  reverse 
Is  sure  to  none  ;  and  yet,  on  this  Perhaps, 
This  Peradventure.  infamous  for  lies. 
as  on  a  rock  of  adamant,  we  build 
Our  mountain-hopes ;  spin  our  eternal  schemes, 
And,  big  with  life's  futurities,  expire." 

Without  delay,  therefore,  let  the  die  be  cast  on 
which  your  all  depends.  Hasten  to  a  throne  of 
grace.  Plead  your  necessities,  for  to  whom  can 
you  go  ?  Christ  hath  the  words  of  eternal  life  : 
plead  his  unlimited  invitations,  which  extend  to 
every  creature  :  plead  the  price  he  paid  to  win 
souls  to  himself:  plead  the  triumphs  of  his  cross 
in  every  new  trophy  of  his  victory :  plead  the  de- 
struction, thus  promoted,  of  Satan's  empire,  and 
the  enlargement  of  the  kingdom  of  God  :  and  ever 
remember  that  the  Redeemer  lends  a  willing  ear 
to  the  faintest  cry  for  help.  "  Lord  save  us,  we 
perish,"  infallibly  secures  the  outstretched  arm  of 
the  Mightiest.  He  is,  as  has  just  been  shown, 
more  ready  to  extend  it  for  our  succour,  than  we 
are  to  receive  its  aid.  But  if  brought  to  rest  upon 
that  which  is  the  prop  of  worlds,  there  is  no  risk 
that  the  support  will  fail.  Fail  it  cannot  while  the 
strength  of  Jehovah  remains  unimpaired,  and  his 
purposes  of  grace  unaltered.  "  Saith  the  Lord  of 
hosts,  I  am  the  Lord,  I  change  not ;  therefore  ye 
sons  of  Jacob  are  not  consumed." 

Yet,  think  not  that  if  become  a  child  of  God  by 


THE    WAY    OF    SALVATION.  109 

faith  in  Christ  Jesus,  nothing  is  thenceforward  ne- 
cessary for  you  to  do.  It  were  folly  to  suppose 
so.  The  labourer,  knowing  that  God  must  gi\e 
the  increase,  does  not  neglect  to  till  the  ground ; 
nor  does  the  mariner,  believing  that  the  winds  and 
the  waves  must  bring  him  to  his  desired  haven, 
omit  to  provide  the  rudder  and  the  canvass.  In 
these  instances,  and  many  others,  we  easily  com- 
prehend that  God  works  by  means.  And,  although 
the  great  work  of  redemption  is  indeed  finished  in 
respect  of  the  price  ,that  is  paid,  and  the  power 
that  is  given,  still,  the  means  by  which  it  is  accom- 
plished is  through  a  change  in  the  heart  of  man,, 
influencing  the  life.  In  one  sense,  therefore,  from 
the  time  that  this  salvation  is  received,  the  work  is 
only  begun.  Then  must  commence  the  good  fight 
of  faith ;  then  the  wrestling  against  principalities 
and  powers,  rulers  of  darkness,  and  spiritual 
wickedness  in  high  places  ;  to  withstand  which, 
the  impenetrable  and  invincible  armour  of  God 
must  be  taken.  Strong  in  the  Lord  and  in  the 
power  of  his  might,  success  is  certain,  and  yet  a 
warfare  must  be  encountered,  and  a  conflict  sus- 
tained, that  terminates  only  with  life.  Energy 
for  the  combat,  and  strength  to  prevail,  is  derived 
solely  from  God ;  it  is  "  he  that  teacheth  the  hands 
to  war  and  the  fingers  to  fight.  He  is  the  For- 
tress, High  Tower,  Deliyerer,  and  Shield,  who 
subdueth  the  people  under  us."  And  still  it  is 
10 


110  THE    WAY    OF    SALVATION. 

we  who  fight, — still  it  is  in  man  that  His  strength 
is  made  perfect.  And  it  is  on  our  weakness  and 
infirmity  that  the  power  of  Christ  rests.* 

It  is  important  to  ascertain  the  nature  of  this 
warfare,  we  shall,  therefore,  make  it  the  subject  of 
the  following  chapter.  And  may  assistance  be 
granted  to  us,  as  we  proceed  in  our  inquiries  re- 
specting those  essential  truths,  which,  when  be- 
lieved and  practised,  conduce  to  the  glory  of  God, 
and  ensure  the  salvation  of  men. 

*2Cor.  xii.  9. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

THE  CHRISTIAN'S  WARFARE. 


Mankind,  by  nature,  in  a  state  of  warfare  with  God — Christian's  warfare  is 
with  Satan— Strife  with  evil  not  natural  to  man — Actions  of  unregenerated, 
evil — Characteristics  of  Christian's  warfare : — Much  in  earnest ;  deep  hu- 
mility ;  of  an  exterminating  quality — Certainty  of  the  result — Are  we  en- 
gaged in  this  warfare  ? — Christians  should  use  their  weapons — Redemption 
irrespective  of  any  thing  in  us — This  warfare  shall  cease. 


"  Tell  him  withal 
His  danger,  and  from  whom  ;  what  enemy, 
Late  fall'n  himself  from  heaven,  is  plotting  now 
The  fall  of  others,  from  like  state  of  bliss : 
By  violence  ?    No,  for  that  shall  be  withstood ; 
But  by  deceit  and  lies." 

To  constitute  a  state  of  warfare  there  must  be 
opposition.  If  we  fight,  we  must  have  something 
wherewith  to  contend  ;  where  there  is  agreement, 
there  can  be  no  warfare. 

In  the  preceding  chapter,  it  has  been  noticed, 
that  the  fallen  descendants  of  Adam  are  in  this 
state  with  the  Most  High  God  ;  that  worms  of  this 
earth  contend  with  Him  who  reigns  supreme  over 
matter  and  spirit ;  that  the  infinite,  eternal,  and  un- 
changeable Jehovah  is  willing  that  the  unequal 
strife   should  cease,  and  sends  an  embassage  of 


112  THE    CHRISTIAN^    WARFARE. 

reconciliation ;  but  that  men,  generally,  will  not  be» 
reconciled  to  God. 

The  Christian's  warfare,  of  which  we  are  now 
to  treat,  is  the  opposite  of  that  in  which  the  ene- 
mies of  God  engage.  It  is  a  warfare,  not  with 
God,  but  with  Satan  ;  and,  unlike  the  opposition 
which  defenceless  man  raises  against  sovereign 
power,  with  condign  ruin  impending,  it  is  accom 
panied  by  strength  from  on  high,  provided  with 
complete  armour,  and  ensured  of  victory  !  The 
strife  in  which  the  Christian  is  engaged,  is  with 
that  against  which  his  Divine  Master  likewise 
fights — all  evil :  "  Whatsoever  opposeth  or  exalteth 
itself  above  that  is  called  God  ;  all  the  deceivable- 
ness  of  unrighteousness  in  them  that  perish."  But 
the  evil  from  which  the  greatest  conflict  arises  is 
internal :  "  The  flesh  lusteth,  against  the  spirit,  and 
the  spirit  against  the  flesh  :  and  these  are  contrary 
the  one  to  the  other."  The  work  of  renovation 
has  been  begun  in  the  soul  of  that  man  who  is 
made  willing  to  receive  Christ  in  all  his  offices  as 
his  Saviour.  And  to  him  a  new  birth  has  been 
given,  and  a  new  principle  is  implanted,  whence 
the  warfare  with  evil  originates.  The  tendency  of 
this  creation  in  the  soul  is  to  stem  the  torrent  of 
iniquity,  whether  from  within  or  from  without ;  to 
dethrone  the  arch-deceiver  of  the  nations;  and  to 
restore  to  his  kingdom,  which  is  established  in  the 
heart,  the  rightful  sovereign,  Zion's  King. 


THE    CHRISTIAN'S    WARFARE.  113 

It  were  comparatively  easy  to  preserve  the  con- 
duct void  of  offence,  but  the  purity  which  the  be- 
liever strives  to  attain  reaches  to  the  inward  emo- 
tions of  his  soul.  His  strife  is,  chiefly,  with  the 
sinful  propensity ;  with  that  to  which  he  is  natu- 
rally prone ;  and  herein  lies  the  special  difficulty 
with  which  this  fight  is  carried  forward,  and  the 
indispensable  necessity  of  the  divine  aid,  which  is 
afforded  in  this  warfare. 

By  nature,  "  the  imagination  of  the  thoughts  of 
the  heart  is  only  evil  continually."  Therefore,  to 
strive  with  evil  implies  a  direction  given  to  the 
feelings  and  motives  of  action,  which,  since  the 
fall,  does  not  otherwise  exist.  No  man,  without 
the  influences  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  strives  with  evil. 
Evil  is  the  atmosphere  in  which  the  natural  man 
breathes  :  "  Ye,  being  evil,  know  how  to  give  good 
gifts  unto  your  children,"  said  our  Lord ;  "  The 
heart  of  the  sons  of  men  is  full  of  evil"  said 
Solomon. 

Nor  let  it  be  affirmed,  that  the  actions  of  unre- 
generated  men  are  often  good.  They  may  be  so 
in  their  results,  but  still  they  are  evil  in  themselves. 
If  the  fountain  be  impure,  so  are  the  streams  which 
flow  from  it ;  and  from  an  unconverted  heart  never 
issued  a  holy  deed.  Many  an  action  that  seems 
praiseworthy,  if  weighed  in  the  balance  of  the 
Sanctuary,  will  be  found  wanting.  Some  sinister 
motive,  some  selfish  intention,  lurks  unobserved, 

10* 


114  THE    CHRISTIAN'S    WARFARE. 

often  unknown  to  the  individual  himself,  which 
alters  the  character  of  the  act :  "  Who  can  bring 
a  clean  thing  out  of  an  unclean  ?  not  one." 

It  may  be  useful  to  inquire  more  particularly 
into  the  distinguishing  characteristics  of  the  Chris- 
tian's warfare  with  evil ;  which  may  not  only  ena- 
ble us  to  ascertain  if  we  are  engaged  jn  it,  but  may 
be  assisting  and  encouraging  to  us  in  prosecuting 
the  conflict. 

And  one  mark  which  is  indispensably  necessary 
to  prove  that  we  fight  with  evil,  is,  that  we  are 
much  in  earnest.  To  fight  requires  energy,  and 
while  a  combat  lasts,  so  must  the  resistance  ;  when 
we  yield,  warfare  ceases.  The  warrior  is  inspired 
with  an  ardent  desire  of  conquest ;  and  in  encoun- 
tering formidable  opponents,  resolute  determination 
can  alone  give  promise  of  success.  A  pusillani- 
mous spirit  is  not  fit  for  battle  ;  cowards  court  de- 
feat. And  thus  it  is  with  him  who  fights  under 
the  banner  of  the  Cross.  He  is  in  league  with 
heaven  against  sin  and  Satan,  and  in  the  strength 
of  grace,  he  is  resolutely  determined  to  combat  and 
to  subdue  every  spiritual  foe.  Earnestly  he  longs 
for  deliverance  from  a  thraldom  so  burdensome  as 
the  dominion  of  sin.  Hateful  as  the  monster  has 
become  to  him  in  every  form,  it  is  still  the  most 
abhorred  when  detected  in  his  own  breast.  Thence, 
by  any  means,  he  would  expel  it.  Weapons  and 
armour  are  given  him ;  the  sword  of  the  Spirit, 


THE    CHRISTIAN'S    WARFARE.  115 

the  shield  of  faith,  the  breastplate  of  righteousness, 
the  helmet  of  salvation ;  and  thus  accoutred,  he 
valiantly  goes  forth,  conquering  and  to  conquer. 
With  that  "  abominable  thing  which  God  hates," 
he  will  hold  no  parley,  for  the  will  of  God  is  one 
with  his  ;  and  his  most  fervent  prayer  is,  "  Order 
my  steps  in  Thy  word,  and  let  not  any  iniquity 
have  dominion  over  me." 

To  this  earnest  desire  of  freedom  from  sin,  may 
be  added  another  mark,  which  is  equally  charac- 
teristic of  the  Christian's  warfare,  that  it  is  accom- 
panied by  deep  humility.  It  is  not  in  the  earnest- 
ness with  which  he  strives,  or  in  his  desire  of  con- 
quest, that  the  Christian  confides.  Upon  his  own 
prowess  or  strength  he  has  no  reliance.  And  if 
there  be  a  truth  which  is  impressed  with  a  convic- 
tion that  is  irresistible  upon  his  heart,  it  is  this, — 
that  to  root  out  evil  from  the  soul  of  man  is  the 
work  only  of  the  Mightiest.  The  opposing  prin- 
ciple with  which  he  contends  he  feels  to  be  strong, 
and  knows  to  be  inherent ;  ability  to  subdue  it,  in 
himself  he  has  none.  "  Not  by  might,  nor  by 
power,  but  by  my  Spirit,  saith  the  Lord  of  Hosts." 
And,  "  He  hath  done  marvellous  things  ;  His  right 
hand  and  His  holy  arm  hath  gotten  Him  the  vic- 
tory," is  the  triumphant  shout  the  redeemed  shall 
hereafter  raise.  To  be  in  earnest,  is  indeed  a  proof 
that  we  have  entered  the  lists  with  the  destroyer, 
and  are  fighting  in  a  strength  that  is  not  our  own 


116  THE    CHRISTIAN'S    WARFARE. 

But  it  is  from  the  power  that  is  given  to  the  faint, 
and  from  the  increased  strength  of  them  that  have 
no  might,  that  they  that  wait  upon  the  Lord,  mount 
up  with  wings  as  eagles  ;  run,  and  are  not  weary ; 
walk,  and  are  not  faint.  And,  confiding  in  the  pro- 
mises, "  From  all  your  filthiness,  and  from  all  your 
idols,  will  I  cleanse  you ;  a  new  heart  also  will  I 
give  you,  and  a  new  spirit  will  I  put  within  you  ; 
and  I  will  take  away  the  stony  heart  out  of  your 
flesh,  and  I  will  give  you  an  heart  of  flesh :  and 
I  will  put  my  Spirit  within  you,  and  cause  you  to 
walk  in  my  statutes,  and  ye  shall  keep  my  judg- 
ments, and  do  them  ;"  hope  is  invigorated,  power 
is  given,  purity  imparted.  And  "  though  he  fall, 
he  shall  not  be  utterly  cast  down,  for  the  Lord  up- 
holdeth  him  with  his  hand ;"  therefore,  united  with 
humility  is  the  assurance  of  safety  ;  and  if  we  fight 
in  that  combat  wherein  God  himself  is  engaged, 
"  out  of  weakness  we  are  made  strong." 

There  is  another  characteristic  of  this  conflict, 
which  ought  not  to  be  omitted  in  the  consideration 
of  it, — that  it  is  of  an  exterminating  quality.  The 
opposing  principle  and  that  which  is  opposed,  can- 
not ultimately  both  live  ;  peace  can  never  be  re- 
stored ;  one  must  die.  If  enlisted  in  the  warfare 
with  evil,  either  the  Spirit  wThich  conflicts,  or  the 
evil  with  which  he  contends,  must  finally  cease  to 
exert  its  influence  on  the  soul.  In  this  warfare 
there  is  no  quarter  given ;  uprooting  is  the  aim, 


THE    CHRISTIAN'S    WARFARE.  117 

and  destruction  the  design,  of  the  combatants. 
Neither  truce,  nor  cessation,  nor  retreat,  are  prac- 
ticable ;  having  engaged  in  the  Christian  warfare 
we  must  fight  to  the  end.  If  evil  exists  in  the 
heart  so  must  conflict.  Arms  of  defence  and  of 
contest  must  never  be  laid  down.  Victory  itself 
must  not  satisfy  till  the  triumph  be  complete,  and 
the  death-blow  final.  If  we  sleep,  so  will  not  the 
principle  we  oppose.  The  adversary  is  vigilant, 
"  seeking  whom  he  may  devour ;"  and  his  purpose 
is  to  crush  the  good  seed,  and  give  the  mortal 
wound  to  all  that  is  of  heavenly  origin  in  the  soul. 
And  equally  is  it  the  purpose  of  the  Redeemer,  the 
Spirit,  and  the  redeemed,  that  evil  shall  die  where 
grace  lives.  They  shall  exist  together  while  in  the 
body  striving  for  the  mastery,  but  an  eternal  sepa- 
ration shall  be  put  between  them,  for  assimilate 
they  cannot.  "  What  communion  hath  light  with 
darkness  ?" 

And  this  leads  us  to  an  obvious  conclusion,  that 
the  Christian's  warfare  with  evil  is  attended  with 
certainty  as  to  the  result.  Under  what  banner 
does  he  fight  ?  Who  is  his  Confederate,  his  Ally  ? 
Who  the  Captain  of  his  salvation  ? — He  whose 
glory  covers  the  heavens,  whose  brightness  is  as 
the  light,  by  whom  the  everlasting  mountains  are 
scattered,  and  the  perpetual  hills  do  bow.  And 
the  sun  and  the  moon  stand  still  in  their  habitation 
at  the  light  of  His  arrows,  and  at  the  shining  of 


118  THE    CHRISTIAN'S    WARFARE. 

His  glittering  spear.  It  is  He  Jehovah,  who 
goeth  forth  for  the  salvation  of  his  people.  "  And 
at  what  time  He  shall  speak  concerning  a  nation, 
and  concerning  a  kingdom,  to  pluck  up,  and  to  pull 
down,  and  to  destroy  it,"  where  is  the  potent  ami 
that  shall  successfully  contend  against  Him  ?  "  His 
hand  hath  formed  the  crooked  serpent,"*  and  shall 
He  not  subjugate  that  which  He  hath  formed  ? 
May  not  the  Omnipotent  address  the  great  enemy 
of  souls  as  He  did  the  Assyrians, — "  I  know  thy 
abode,  and  thy  going  out,  and  thy  coming  in,  and 
thy  rage  against  me.  Because  thy  rage  against 
me,  and  thy  tumult,  is  come  up  into  mine  ears, 
therefore  will  I  put  my  hook  in  thy  nose,  and  my 
bridle  in  thy  lips,  and  I  will  turn  thee  back  by  the 
way  by  which  thou  earnest."  "  The  arrows  of 
God  are  sharp  in  the  heart  of  the  King's  enemies ; 
whereby  the  people  fall  under  Him.  And  the  bur- 
den of  sin  shall  be  taken  from  off  the  shoulder, 
and  the  yoke  from  off  the  neck ;  and  the  yoke  shall 
be  destroyed,  because  of  thy  anointing.  And  the 
strong  shall  be  as  tow,  and  the  maker  of  it  as  a 
spark,  and  they  shall  both  burn  together,  and  none 
shall  quench  them." 

Such  is  the  security  that  they  shall  ultimately 
triumph,  with  which  the  children  of  God  combat 
with  evil.     "  They  run  not  as  uncertainly ;  they 

*  Job  xxvi.  13. 


THE    CHRISTIAN'S    WARFARE.  119 

fight  not  as  one  that  beateth  the  air."  They  know 
that  victory  is  ensured  to  them ;  and  that  although 
beset  with  foes  the  most  inveterate,  resolute,  and 
powerful,  still,  even  while  the  battle  lasts,  the  in- 
habitants of  Zion  may  "  cry  out  and  shout,  for 
great  is  the  Holy  One  of  Israel  in  the  midst  of 
them." 

And  now  let  the  question,  with  seriousness  and 
impartiality,  be  put, — Are  we  engaged  in  this  war- 
fare ? — It  is  not  the  nature  of  strife  to  be  hidden 
from  him  that  strives.  To  war  is  an  act ;  no  man 
fights  without  being  conscious  that  he  does  so. 
And  if  we  have  never  felt  a  struggle  between  the 
evil  propensities  that  are  natural  to  us  in  our  fallen 
state,  and  the  new  nature  which  is  given  to  believ- 
ers in  Jesus,  this  warfare  docs  not  exist  in  us. 
And  if  we  have  never  resisted  evil  in  the  strength 
of  grace,  the  life  of  faith  is  not  begun  ;  we  are 
yet  in  our  sins.  The  very  first  acting  of  spiritual 
life  is  opposition  to  every  thing  that  is  contrary  to 
the  holiness  of  God.  Without  internal  contest  the 
heart  must  be  altogether  good,  or  altogether  bad. 
If  there  is  any  good  thing  implanted  within,  it 
must  oppose  that  which  is  evil :  or  any  evil  pro- 
pensity will  oppose  that  which  is  good.  Princi- 
ples so  adverse  must  contend  ;  they  are  at  the 
furthest  possible  point  of  separation  from  each 
other;  and  where  both  are  found  in  the  same 
breast,  although  one  should  be  weak  and  the  other 


120  THE    CHRISTIAN'S    WARFARE. 

strong,  still  conflict  naturally  follows.  But  there 
is  no  soul  on  earth  free  from  evil.  "  There  is  none 
that  doeth  good,  no  not  one."*  "  All  have  sinned, 
and  have  come  short  of  the  glory  of  God  ;"t  where- 
fore, if  an  effort  to  subdue  corruption  be  not  main- 
tained, it  becomes  manifest  that  we  are  destitute 
of  good,  that  "  every  imagination  of  the  thoughts 
of  the  heart  is  only  evil  continually."  Shrink  not, 
therefore,  from  a  discovery  thus  palpably  true,  that 
in  the  breast  where  the  Christian's  warfare  is  un- 
known, dwelleth  no  good  thing.  He  who  "delights 
in  the  law  of  God  after  the  inward  man,  feels  ano- 
ther law  in  his  members,  warring  against  the  law 
of  his  mind."| 

And  yet  it  is  possible  some  child  of  God  may 
be  ready  to  exclaim,  "  Alas  !  I  know  nothing  of 
the  conflict  you  have  described  ;  I  never  experi- 
enced this  warfare  ;  and  if  it  is  a  necessary  conse- 
quence of  being  born  of  God,  a  proof  that  we 
belong  to  Christ's  little  flock,  I  must  have  been 
deceiving  myself  in  the  hopes  I  entertain  of  being 
interested  in  the  Saviour's  precious  redemption, 
and  that  I  am  walking  in  the  narrow  way  that 
leadeth  to  life."  You  conceive,  Christian,  that  you 
are  unacquainted  with  this  warfare.  But  have 
you  never  felt  a  proneness  to  any  thing  that  is  con- 
trary to  the  pure  and  holy  will  of  God  ?     Have 

*  Rom.  iii.  10.         t  lb.  iii.  23.         t  lb.  vii.  22,  23. 


THE    CHRISTIAN'S    WARFARE.  121 

you  never  discerned  an  internal  propensity  to 
aught  that  is  not  in  accordance  with  the  perfect 
precepts  of  Christ?  Have  you  never  detected 
any  sinful  tendency  within  ?  Does  no  unholy 
thought  ever  obtrude  ?  And  is  no  bias  to  what  is 
unworthy  in  action  ever  discoverable  ?  And  if 
you  must  plead  guilty  to  these  charges,  have  you 
never  prayed  for  strength  to  overcome  evil  inclina- 
tions ?  And  have  you  never  striven,  trusting  in 
Almighty  aid,  to  conquer  every  evil  desire ;  and  to 
subdue,  through  the  power  of  God,  all  in  your 
soul  that  is  inimical  to  his  purity  ?  And  have 
there  not  been  times  when  you  have  fallen,  and 
when  the  complaint  has  been  wrung  from  you,  u  wo 
is  me  for  I  have  sinned  ?"  And  have  there  not 
been  periods  when  grace  has  triumphed,  and  when 
Satan  has  seemed  bruised  under  your  feet  ?  It 
must  be  so.  There  is  not  an  individual  with  no 
tendency  to  sin ;  and  there  is  no  genuine  believer 
who  does  not  strive  to  live  a  life  of  holiness,  and 
to  bring  forth  fruit  unto  God.  And  these  contrary 
propensities,  the  wish  to  do  good  while  evil  is  pre- 
sent, or  the  tendency  to  evil  when  holiness  is  im- 
planted, create  the  Christian  warfare,  and  induce 
the  conflict  of  which  we  write.  And  although 
some  of  the  disciples  of  Christ  may  not  have  been 
accustomed  to  apply  these  terms  to  what  they  have 
experienced,  still,  grace  and  sin  in  the  same  breast, 
like  fire  and  water,  must  produce  opposition,  which 

11 


122  the  christian's  warfare. 

can  only  cease  through   the  extinction  of  one  of 
them. 

To  all  who  have  come  to  Christ  for  salvation, 
therefore,  we  say,  use  the  weapons  that  are  placed 
in  your  hands,  and  fight  against  sin.  Who  goeth 
a  warfare  at  his  own  charges  ?  It  is  on  the  ability 
and  strength  of  Him  who  commands,  that  the  se- 
curity of  conquest  depends.  It  is  Christ  who 
enables  his  people  to  fight.  It  is  He  who  "divides 
the  spoil"  with  the  weak  and  the  strong.  But 
beware  that  you  do  not  rest  satisfied  with  acknow- 
ledging the  necessity  of  this  warfare.  Be  very 
solicitous  to  engage  in  it  resolutely,  and  persever- 
ingly.  Let  not  the  assent  be  generally  given,  that 
thus  it  must  be,  without  the  particular  application 
to  your  own  individual  case.  With  what  tempta- 
tions are  you  assailed  ?  Against  what  particular 
sins  do  you  strive  ?  What  iniquity  most  easily 
besets  you  ?  Is  it  pride,  or  worldliness,  or  selfish- 
ness, or  more  glaring  evil,  that  in  you  must  be 
subdued  V  These,  or  any  other  sins,  will  struggle 
for  the  mastery ;  but  courageously  fight  on,  for 
"  greater  is  He  that  is  in  you  than  he  that  is  in  the 
world."  Victory  is  ensured.  Sin  and  Satan  shall 
be  vanquished,  and  all  evil  banished  from  the  souls 
of  the  redeemed  finally  and  for  ever.  The  song 
of  triumph  shall  burst  in  shouts  of  exultation  from 
the  multitude  upon  whom  the  second  death  hath 
no  power,  who  are  without  fault  before  the  throne 


THE    CHRISTIAN'S    WARFARE.  123 

of  God.  Without  fault, — not  only  without  trans- 
gression, without  crime,  but  without  the  slightest 
taint  of  error,  or  mixture  of  defect.  And  shall 
not  the  state  of  warfare  the  believer  has  left,  add 
to  the  sweetness  of  the  repose  and  rest  of  heaven's 
joy  ?  No  conflict  there,  for  there  is  nothing  with 
which  to  contend  ;  within  and  without  purity 
reigns ;  nothing  that  defiles  can  enter.  Wherefore, 
let  the  assurance  of  success  quicken  exertion,  and 
enspirit  even  during  partial  defeat.  Forget  not 
that  it  is  against  the  holiness  of  God  that  the  mon- 
ster, Sin,  arises  ;  that  it  must  be  vanquished,  or 
God  dethroned ;  and,  that  where  it  shall  exist  eter- 
nally in  the  world  of  wo,  it  shall  be  a  prisoner  en- 
chained, a  trophy  of  the  vengeance  of  a  justly 
incensed  Deity. 

In  league,  Christian,  with  the  Eternal,  lay  not 
down  your  arms.  "  This  is  the  will  of  God,  even 
your  sanctification."  Let  each  returning  year,  and 
month,  and  day,  be  marked  by  new  conquests  over 
spiritual  foes  and  evil  propensities.  Let  your 
thoughts,  words,  and  actions,  be  guarded  with  jea- 
lous care,  and  all  impurity  of  heart  and  life  be 
fought  against  by  the  aid  of  power  from  on  high. 
Thus  only  can  you  be  satisfied  that  the  principle 
of  opposition  to  sin  is  found  in  you,  viz.,  grace ; 
and  this  victorious  principle,  where  it  is  found, 
shall  reign  through  righteousness  unto  eternal  life. 
The  faintest  struggle  to  overcome  evil,  proceeding 


124  the  christian's  warfare. 

from  the  desire  of  holiness,  is  big  with  conse- 
quences unutterably  glorious,  for  on  the  soul  that 
strives  against  sin,  God  operates.  And  where  the 
foundation  is  laid  by  God,  there  shall  "  he  bring 
forth  the  headstone  thereof  with  shoutings,  crying, 
Grace,  grace,  unto  it." 

This,  then,  is  the  way  of  salvation,  to  come  to 
Christ  just  as  we  are,  guilty  and  helpless,  for  the 
redemption  which  He  has  accomplished,  and  freely 
offers, — conscious  that  we  can  do  nothing  good,  to 
cast  ourselves  in  prayer  at  the  Redeemer's  feet, 
relying  on  his  mercy,  and  believing  that  there  is 
no  human  being  who  is  not  welcome  to  reap  the 
benefit  of  His  perfect  life  and  meritorious  sacri- 
fice,— that  He  is  more  willing  to  receive  us  than 
we  can  be  to  obtain  the  blessedness  he  bestows. 
Thus  we  become  interested  in  the  finished  work 
of  Jesus ;  and  are  warranted  to  believe  that  we  are 
accounted  perfect  in  the  sight  of  God,  through  the 
perfection  of  our  Surety,  whose  righteousness  is 
imputed  to  his  people ;  and  that  all  our  guilt  is 
cancelled  by  the  sufferings  and  death  of  the  im- 
maculate Lamb,  who  bore  the  load  of  Divine 
wrath,  which  was  due  to  us,  as  an  atonement  for 
the  sins  of  many.  And,  as  the  best  deeds,  even 
of  believers,  are  polluted  by  sinful  emotions,  and, 
therefore,  are  deserving  of  punishment  rather  than 
reward,  an  abiding  conviction  must  rest  on  our 
minds,  that  no  work  of  ours  can  entitle  us  to  any 


THE    CHRISTIAN'S    WARFARE.  125 

thing,  yet  that  from  the  time  when  we  become 
Christians  indeed,  a  principle  is  implanted  which 
gradually  exterminates  evil,  and  leads  to  God. 
We  must,  therefore,  henceforward,  depend  upon 
him  for  an  ability  to  live  to  his  praise,  and  in  his 
strength  fight  the  good  fight  of  faith,  striving 
against  sin,  which  believers  only  are  empowered 
to  do. 

The  redemption  of  God's  people  is  totally  irre- 
spective of  themselves,  so  that  should  they  die  im- 
mediately after  their  conversion,  and  before  they 
had  time  to  prove  the  sincerity  of  their  faith  by  a 
change  of  life,  they  are  safe  for  eternity,  because 
they  are  forgiven  and  accepted  by  imputation  of 
Christ's  life  and  death.  Yet  the  benefit  of  this 
imputation  would  avail  little  did  not  Christ  work  in 
us,  as  well  as  for  us  ;  nothing  that  defiles  can  enter 
heaven  ;  or  were  it  possible  that  a  sinner,  continu- 
ing such,  were  brought  there,  he  would  bring  hell 
with  him.  The  grand  design,  therefore,  of  redemp- 
tion, is  to  "  purify  the  heart  by  faith,"  thus  fitting 
sinful  man  for  the  presence  and  the  enjoyment  of 
God.  And  when,  as  is  the  more  common  case, 
believers  live  to  evince  to  the  world  the  new  nature 
they  have  received,  the  influences  of  the  blessed 
Spirit  will  appear  in  their  whole  life  and  conduct, 
evidencing  that  they  are  "  a  peculiar  people,  zeal- 
ous of  good  works," — that  they  feel  "they  are  not 
heir  own,  for  they  are  bought  with  a  price ;  and, 

11* 


126  the  christian's  warfare. 

therefore,  are  desirous  to  glorify  God  in  their  body 
and  spirit,  which  are  his." 

Believer  in  Jesus,  take  courage  !  the  Christian's 
warfare  shall  cease.  Your  heart  shall  be  purified 
from  all  alloy  of  sin.  In  the  realms  of  bliss  there 
shall  be  no  strife.  In  the  inner  man  shall  be  unity 
of  purpose,  of  desire,  of  propensity,  for  holiness 
not  merely  predominates,  but  alone  exists  there. 
Within  and  without  discord  is  unknown  to  the  glo- 
rified spirits  of  the  redeemed.  No  jarring  note,  no 
tendency  to  evil,  nothing  to  hurt  or  destroy,  but 
universal  harmony  prevails  among  heaven's  inhab- 
itants. It  shall  be  felt  that  the  heart  is  completely 
renovated, — that  the  ■  likeness  of  God  is  anew  im- 
planted,— that  sin  is  extinct  in  the  soul, — that  it 
can  no  longer  fight  or  tempt,  for  it  is  excluded, — 
good  no  more  shall  struggle  with  evil,  for  evil  is 
shut  out.  The  battle  is  won,  the  foe  is  disarmed, 
his  forces  are  routed,  they  are  driven  from  the  field 
enmity  is  slain,  and  can  rise  no  more  for  ever. 
"  In  patience,  therefore,  possess  your  souls. 
Though  it  tarry,  wait  for  it,  because  it  will  surely 
come,  it  will  not  tarry.  And  he  that  hath  wrought 
you  for  the  self-same  thing,  is  God,  who  also  hath 
given  you  the  earnest  of  the  Spirit." 

Thus,  believers  in  Jesus,  while  on  earth,  are 
surrounded  by  what  is  inimical  to  the  life  of  godli- 
ness. They  experience  in  their  own  breasts  op- 
position to  that  new  nature  they  have  received,  and 


THE    CHRISTIANS    WARFARE.  127 

which  is  of  heavenly  origin ;  and  the  world,  in 
many  ways,  proves  a  hindrance  to  the  growth  of 
the  good  seed  their  God  hath  implanted.  But  the 
time  is  short.  "  The  earth  and  the  works  that  are 
therein  shall  be  burnt  up  ;  and,  according  to  his 
promise,  we  look  for  new  heavens  and  a  new  earth, 
wherein  dwelleth  righteousness."  "  Therefore,"  said 
an  apostle,  "  grow  in  grace,  and  in  the  knowledge 
of  our  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ.  And  to 
him  be  glory,  both  now  and  for  ever.     Amen. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

THE  CHRISTIAN'S  LOVE  OF  HOLINESS. 


Christian's  Warfare  shall  end  in  peace — Change  in  Believers  more  or  less 
rapid — Their  love  of  holiness — Attributes  of  God  incomprehensible ;  love, 
light,  holiness,  life,  eternal  existence — Infinitude  of  God's  excellencies — 
Christian's  delight  in  God— Holiness  and  happiness  inseparable — The  de- 
sire of  holiness  given  in  order  to  its  gratification — Holiness  progressive — Do 
tee  feel  that  holiness  and  happiness  are  inseparable  1 — How  are  we  affected 
towards  its  infinitude  ? — Heaven's  bliss  inconceivable. 


M  O  for  a  glimpse  of  Him  my  soul  adores ! 
As  the  chas'd  hart,  amid  the  desert  waste, 
Pants  for  the  living  stream :  for  Him  who  made  her, 
So  pants  the  thirsty  soul,  amid  the  blank 
Of  sublunary  joys." 

11  And  all  the  palm-crown'd  sons  of  holiness, 
With  garments  wash'd  in  their  Redeemer's  blood, 
Shout  their  hosannahs  round  his  throne,  and  join'd 
With  angels,  and  to  angels  equal  made, 
Bathe  in  the  fount  of  ever-during  bliss." 

It  has  been  shown  in  the  preceding  chapters, 
that  the  believer's  state  while  on  earth  is  a  state  of 
conflict ;  that  opposition  to  the  life  of  faith  may  be 
anticipated  from  the  people  of  the  world,  by  whom 
he  is  surrounded,  and  that  opposing  principles  are 
implanted  in  his  own  breast,  which  struggle  for  the 
victory. 


THE    CHRISTIAN'S    LOVE    OF    HOLINESS.         129 

Happily,  however,  this  condition  shall  not  al- 
ways endure.  It  is  but  the  introduction  to  a  state 
of  perfect  peace,  in  which  such  a  conflict  never 
fails  to  terminate  ;  for  the  triumphs  of  the  believer  in 
Jesus  over  sin  and  Satan  shall  be  everlasting  The 
soul  that  fights  the  good  fight  of  faith,  is  partaker 
of  that  grace  which  shall  at  length  purify  it  from 
all  internal  depravity,  and  fit  it  entirely  for  heaven's 
joy.  To  promote  this  glorious  end,  the  children 
of  the  kingdom  are  continued  in  this  world  <»f  s  trife. 
They  must  he  rendered  meet  for  the  inheritance  of 
the  saints  in  light,  ere  they  can  be  admitted  to  join 
the  angelic  throng ;  and  the  heart  must  be  renova- 
ted and  changed,  ere  it  can  enter  the  society  of 
the  blessed. 

This  change  is  instantaneous  in  its  nature,  and 
leads  ultimately  and  invariably  to  the  same  result, 
—the  restoration  of  the  perfection  of  character 
which  man  has  lost,  but  in  which  he  was  origi- 
nally created.  It  is  accomplished  by  the  energy 
of  the  Most  High,  and,  therefore,  its  effects  are 
sure  and  durable,  but  never  in  their  fullest  extent 
completed,  while  the  subjects  of  renovation  con- 
tinue upon  earth.  It  is  termed  in  the  sacred  writ- 
ings, a  passing  from  death  unto  life,*  a  new  birth,t 
a  creation.^     The  progress  in  this  divine  life  is 

»  John  v.  24.  t  John  iii.  3-6.     Gal.  iv.  29. 

t  Eph.  ii.  10 ;  iv.  24.    2  Cor.  v.  17 


130        THE    CHRISTIAN'S    LOVE    OF    HOLINESS. 

sometimes  very  gradual,  or  may  be,  of  more  rapid 
growth,  but  it  is  generally  not  only  real,  but  visi- 
ble in  believers.  "  They  go  from  strength  to 
strength,"  and  often  their  "  faith  groweth  exceed- 
ingly," and  "  the  Holy  Ghost  is  shed  on  them  abun- 
dantly." 

"  There  is  a  proof  that,  to  restore  the  image  of 
God  in  all  those  whose  hearts  are  changed  by  his 
grace,  is  the  ultimate  design  of  the  Almighty,  in 
the  value  which  thenceforward  they  entertain  for 
holiness.  No  sooner  is  the  soul  born  again  from 
above,  and  translated  into  the  kingdom  of  God's 
dear  Son,  than  hatred  of  sin,  and  longing  desires 
after  perfect  purity,  are  implanted.  At  first,  in- 
deed, when  newly  awakened  to  a  sense  of  danger, 
and  made  alive  to  the  powers  of  the  world  to  come, 
anxiety  to  embrace  the  hope  set  before  them  in  the 
Gospel,  and  joy  proportionate  to  the  degree  in 
which  the  wondrous  scheme  of  redemption  is  un- 
folded and  received,  may  so  absorb  the  mind  of 
Christians,  that  their  thoughts  may,  for  the  period, 
be  little  engaged  in  contemplating  the  beauty  of 
the  Divine  character.  But  seed  is  sown  which 
germinates  in  time  ;  and  the  essence  of  true  reli- 
gion was,  and  will  ever  be,  an  assimilation  to  God 
in  the  love  of  holiness.  Instances  there  are, 
where,  from  the  first  dawn  of  spiritual  life,  this 
love  has  been  so  much  the  ruling  passion  of  the 
soul,   that   the   perception   of  it   has   been   even 


THE    CHRISTIAN'S    LOVE    OF    HOLINESS.         131 

stronger  than  the  desire  of  personal  safety ;  and, 
where  redemption  itself  has  not  drawn  forth  livelier 
feelings  of  admiration,  than  the  glorious  perfections 
of  the  immaculate  Jehovah  !  When,  however,  in 
the  young  convert,  it  is  not  so  prominently  devel- 
oped, it  will  always  be  found  to  exist,  and  will  grow 
and  gather  strength  unceasingly.  How  inexpressi- 
bly glorious,  how  transcendently  captivating  to  the 
renewed  mind,  is  but  the  distant  sight  of  ineffable 
perfection  !  It  is  but  a  glance,  that,  while  in  this 
world,  we  are  capable  of  receiving  of  the  glory 
that  is  God's  ;  but  that  glance  enchants.  Is  there 
any  thing  in  heaven  or  on  earth  to  be  compared 
with  the  view  the  Scriptures  unfold  of  the  clus- 
tered excellencies  of  the  Eternal  ?  And  how  is  the 
value  of  these  excellencies  heightened  by  the  bright 
radiance  of  infinity  which  is  attached  to  each  !  An 
infinitude  of  perfection  dazzles  while  it  charms, 
and  transforms,  while  it  satisfies.  When  the  soul 
in  which  grace  abides  can  catch  a  glimpse  of  beauty 
■so  complete,  its  boundlessness  entrances;  and  lesser 
love  is  lost  in  admiration  and  praise  of  that  which 
only  is  lovely.  The  beams  from  this  effulgence 
which  reach  our  world  are  resplendent,  and  cast  a 
gleam  on  the  dark  abode  of  sin  and  misery.  Seen 
through  a  glass  darkly,  they  are  brighter  than  the 
sun,  and  they  blind  the  mind's  eye  to  all  other 
good. 

But,  "  who  can   by  searching  find   out  God  ? 


132       THE    CHRISTIAN'S    LOVE    OF    HOLINESS. 

Who  can  find  out  the  Almighty  to  perfection  ?" 
Who  can  discover  intrinsically  the  attributes  of 
God  ?  Who  can  understand  what  they  are  in  their 
amplitude  as  found  in  God  ? — What  is  love  ? — love 
as  a  fountain, — love  in  its  fulness, — unlimited  love  ? 
What  to  be  love  ? — to  have  the  being  compounded 
of  love  ? — to  love  inherently — perfectly  ?  The 
meaning  is  hid  from  us.  Man  cannot  see  it — man 
cannot  feel  it — what  can  we  know  ?  What  is 
light  ? — light  without  shade — light  from  which  dark- 
ness vanisheth — essential  light — His  marvellous 
light  ?  This  light  no  man  can  approach  unto  ;  no 
man  hath  seen,  or  can  see  it.*  To  think  we  con 
ceive  of  it,  is  to  put  darkness  for  light.  What  is 
holiness  ? — holiness  in  its  essence — unmingled,  un- 
contaminated  holiness — the  holiness  of  Him  "  that 
is  holy"t — "  who  only  art  holy  ?"|  What  is  that 
darling  attribute  by  which  Jehovah  swears,^ — that 
through  which  his  glory  especially  shines  ?||  Can 
he  that  is  born  of  a  woman,  the  unclean,  the  pol 
luted,  the  iniquitous,  know  ?  Can  sinners  compre. 
hend  the  immaculate  holiness  of  God  ?  What  can 
they  know  ?  What  is  life  ?  the  Life — that  First 
Cause  which  animates  what  ever  lives — from 
whom  life  in  its  infinite  variety  is  derived  and  up- 
held in  millions  of  spirits, — in  mortals, — in  the 


*  1  Tim.  vi.  16.        t  Rev.  iii.  7.        t  Rev.  xv.  4. 
§  Amos  iv.  2.  ||  Exod.  xv.  11. 


THE    CHRISTIAN'S    LOVE    OF    HOLINESS.         133 

almost  endless  diversity  of  creatures,  even  which 
inhabit  earth,  from  the  highest  grade — man,  to  the 
reptile,  and  the  animalculae  ;  and  which,  doubtless, 
extends  throughout  interminable  space,  where  count- 
less worlds  are,  in  all  probability,  peopled  with  life? 
What  is  this  principle  ?  Can  we  comprehend  it  ? 
It  is  origination,  immensity,  diffusiveness,  and  it  is 
incomprehensible  to  man  !  What  is  an  eternal  ex- 
istence ?  Can  we  grasp  the  idea ;  is  there  a  con- 
ception of  it  within  us  ?  Can  we  number  eternal 
ages  ?  Can  we  travel  back  in  thought,  searching 
for  a  beginning,  and  think  we  perceive  duration 
without  limits  ?  Or,  shall  we  look  forward  to  being 
without  end,  and  think  we  see  its  boundlessness  ? 
If  we  can  do  this,  then  may  we  conceive  of  one 
attribute  of  Him  who  has  named  himself,  I  Am. 
This  is  a  self-existing  property  of  which  we  know 
nothing.  All  other  things  hang  upon  God.  He 
stands  alone ;  the  Beginning  without  beginning, 
and  the  Ending  without  end.  The  being  of  God 
is  absolutely  necessary,  essential ;  were  it  not  foi 
this  incomprehensible  Being,  every  thing  would 
fall  to  nought. 

But,  as  has  been  observed,  it  is  infinity  that 
makes  the  attributes  of  God  beyond  the  conception 
of  the  creature.  A  faint  semblance  of  some  of 
them  we  know  ;  but  it  is  not  the  fall,  the  entire 
reality,  as  inherent  in  Jehovah,  with  which  we  are 
acquainted.     It  is  something  resembling  very  im- 

12 


134     the  christian's  love  of  holiness. 

perfectly  that  which  is  God's,  but,  not  the  thing  it- 
self. If  we  think  we  can  behold  the  excellencies 
of  God,  it  is  not  God's  excellencies  that  we  behold. 
As  nearly,  however,  as  our  finite  minds  are  capable 
of  realizing  perfection  so  immense,  to  the  soul 
in  whom  the  Holy  Spirit  dwells,  the  sight  is  capti- 
vating. Where  is  there  joy,  to  the  renewed  in 
heart,  equal  to  the  ineffable  sweetness  rising  from 
the  consideration  of  what  God  is  ?  What  do  his 
people  desire  God  to  be  that  he  is  not  ?  And  to 
have  every  wish  gratified  in  the  character  of  him 
who  reigns  supreme,  and  who  has  declared  he  will 
be  ours  beyond  the  possibility  of  change,  is  bles- 
sedness. Transporting  thought  !  God  is  good, — a 
thought  which  only  can  be  enchanced  in  value,  by 
the  reflection  that  we  shall  be  like  him.  Desires 
he  hath  given,  which  he  alone  can  satisfy  ;  and  one 
faculty  that  is  bestowed  on  those  in  whom  grace 
lives,  is  the  power  to  apprehend  the  beauty  of 
holiness.  To  this  the  inmost  affections  of  the 
Christian  are  drawn.  In  comparison  with  this, 
nothing  delights,  nothing  charms.  To  be  a  parta- 
ker of  God's  holiness  would,  and  xoill,  make  the 
believer's  heaven.  Blessedness  and  holiness  are 
as  inseparably  connected  in  his  eyes,  as  they  are 
in  truth.  His  "  senses  are  exercised  to  discern  good 
and  evil."  He  knows  no  satisfying  portion  but  the 
perfection  that  is  found  in  God,  and  the  measure 
of  it  that  is  bestowed  by  God  on  man.     He  feels 


THE    CHRISTIAN'S    LOVE    OF    HOLINESS.        135 

that  joy  which  endures,  hath  purity  for  its  essence, 
and  God  for  its  author.  Enjoyment,  where  the 
love  of  holiness  is  the  source,  hath  no  satiety;  for 
the  higher  the  attainment,  the  more  intense  is  the 
longing  after  fuller  communication.  The  soul  that 
but  tastes  the  chief  good,  feels  that  there  is  no 
other  worth  the  coveting;  and  the  oftener  that  the 
attempt  has  been  made  to  derive  satisfaction  from 
the  world  and  the  creature,  the  more  thorough  is 
the  conviction  in  the  renewed  mind,  that  from  these 
it  cannot  flow.  Such  sources  of  support  fail  us 
when  we  resort  to  them.  The  joys  of  earth  are 
empty  and  delusive,  short-lived  and  unsatisfying. 
If  we  covet  any  thing,  we  must  seek  it  where  in 
reality  it  is  found.  No  man  seeks  for  gold  in  the 
ocean,  or  for  pearls  in  the  mines  of  Peru.  And  if 
we  seek  joy,  we  must  derive  it  from  Him  in  whom 
it  dwells,  in  whom  is  its  fountain.  The  perfec- 
tions of  God  constitute  his  bliss ;  therefore,  holi- 
ness is  the  very  ground-work  of  happiness ;  and 
the  nearer  blessed  spirits  resemble  God  in  holiness, 
the  nearer  they  must  resemble  him  in  joyful ness. 
Joy  is  inherent  in  God,  so  it  necessarily  follows, 
that  it  can  never  exist  in  continuing,  but  by  assim- 
ilation to  him.  If  God  is  perfect,  and  God  is  hap- 
py, it  cannot  be  otherwise  than  that  happiness  flows 
from  perfection.  To  derive  happiness  from  God, 
independently  of  assimilation  to  his  other  attribu- 
tes, is  impossible.      It  would   be  to  sever    what 


136      the  christian's  love  of  holiness. 

cannot  be  disjoined, — blessedness  from  #  the  char- 
acter of  Jehovah,  or  happiness  from  what  produces 
it.  It  would  be  to  affirm,  that  innate  joy  dwells 
not  in  the  Supreme ;  for,  from  his  attributes,  from 
what  he  is  in  himself,  the  joy  of  God  must  arise. 
And  if,  in  the  heart  of  the  Christian,  the  desire  of 
holiness,  and,  in  the  smallest  degree,  the  likeness 
of  God  are  implanted,  that  is  given  which  leads  of 
itself  to  happiness.  Holiness  conduces  as  much 
to  happiness,  as  life  does  to  motion ;  whatever 
lives  moves,  and  where  there  is  true  holiness,  there 
is  true  happiness.  The  least  approach  to  holiness 
is  an  approach  to  happiness,  and  fulness  of  holiness 
is  fullness  of  happiness.  "  Thou  hast  loved  righ- 
teousness, and  hated  iniquity,  therefore,  God,  even 
thy  God,  hath  anointed  thee  with  the  oil  of  gladness 
above  thy  fellows." 

Now  that  the  people  of  God  are  destined  to  pos- 
sess this  fulness  of  happiness,  isincontestibly  proved 
by  the  love  they  bear  to  holiness.  The  delight 
which  is  given  them  in  immaculate  purity,  is  the 
strongest  possible  evidence,  that  the  design  of  the 
Almighty  is  to  make  them  perfectly  pure.  They 
have  received  a  new  nature,  the  principle  feature 
of  which  is,  a  desire  that  is  not  to  be  controlled, — 
the  desire  of  holiness.  If  this  desire  is  never  to 
be  gratified,  it  is  a  solitary  instance  in  Providence, 
and  contrary  to  the  whole  divine  procedure.  Our 
globe  teems  with  life,  and  we  find  that  all  the  crea- 


THE    CHRISTIAN'S    LOVE    OF    HOLINESS.         137 

hires  which  inhabit  it,  obtain  what  they  require, 
and  naturally  seek ;  that  what  they  covet  they  are 
placed  in  circumstances  to  possess.  Do  we  require 
breath  ? — the  air  supplies  it.  Are  food,  and  drink, 
and  warmth  necessary  ? — the  animals  and  the  ele- 
ments furnish  them.  Man,  and  all  that  lives,  in  a 
countless  variety  of  species,  have  their  wants  pro- 
vided for ;  and  every  craving  of  nature  has  a  suita- 
ble provision  ready  for  its  relief.  The  world  is 
clothed  with  verdure  for  the  many  creatures  who 
feed  upon  it.  The  bee  seeks  honey,  and  the  flow- 
ers provide  it.  The  inhabitants  of  the  waters  find 
life  in  them ;  while  other  classes,  to  whom  they 
are  death,  and  who  naturally  dread  them,  occupy 
the  dry  land.  Thus,  all  are  supplied  with  that 
which  they  by  nature  desire ;  what  they  seek  they 
find. 

And  shall  the  desire  of  holiness  be  the  first  de- 
viation from  what  appears  to  be  the  general  rule 
in  Providence  ?  Shall  this  desire,  which  we  have 
not  originally,  but  which  is  implanted  by  the  Spirit 
of  God,  be  given  us,  without  the  intention  that  it 
shall  be  satisfied  ? — thus  making  a  meetness  for 
heaven  productive  of  hell ;  "for  an  earnest  longing 
after  that  which  is  unattainable,  may  be  compared 
to  the  worm  that,  never  dies.  Sorrow,  and  sighing, 
and  eternal  torment  must  ensue,  were  a  wish  so 
strong  constantly  ungratified.  Desire,  without  the 
possibility   of  gratification,  is    of  hellish  growth; 

12* 


138      the  christian's  love  of  holiness. 

through  mercy,  (as  has  been  observed,)  it  is  not 
the  product  of  earth,  nor  is  it  known  in  heaven. 
But,  in  the  world  of  wo,  what  wish  can  be  grati- 
fied ? — for  the  miserable  inhabitants  eagerly  pursue 
after  that  which  God  hates.  And  here  another 
argument  opens,  to  prove  that  the  desire  of  holi- 
ness shall  be  abundantly  satisfied, — it  is  that  in 
which  God  most  especially  delights.  Its  brightest 
effulgence  is  peculiar  to  the  Deity,  It  is  "  He 
that  is  holy  in  all  his  works  ;"*  "  there  is  none  holy 
as  the  Lord  ;"t  from  Him  holiness  emanates. 
Now,  the  Christian  who  finds  his  joy  in  holiness, 
is  of  one  mind  with  the  Eternal.  His  heart  is  set 
upon  the  same  object  in  which  Jehovah  glories. 
He  acts,  or  would  act,  in  concert  with  God.  What 
is  pleasing  to  God  is  pleasing  to  him.  His  eyes 
are  opened  to  behold  incomparable  beauty,  where, 
in  truth,  it  exists — in  the  character  of  God.  He 
sees  the  Supreme  Good  glorious  in  holiness,  and 
he  desires  to  resemble,  in  as  far  as  it  is  possible, 
excellency  thus  divine.  Therefore,  God  and  the 
creature  are  at  one, — are  agreed.  There  is  no 
longer  schism,  opposition,  variance ;  but  harmony, 
concord,  union.  And  if  united  in  purpose  and  in 
love  to  the  Omnipotent,  what  shall  impede  the  be- 
liever's assimilation  to  him  ?  where  is  the  obstacle  ? 
what  the  hindrance  ?    Man's  renovation  is  impeded 

*  Psalms  cxlv.  17.        1 1  Samuel  ii.  2. 


THE    CHRISTIAN'S    LOVE    OF    HOLINESS.         139 

by  his  will  being  adverse  to  God's  ;  but  here  the 
will  and  the  affections  are  gained,  are  in  unison 
with  the  attributes  of  the  Most  High  ;  and  where, 
then,  is  the  impediment  to  his  obtaining  that  which 
God  wills,  equally  with  himself.  God  necessarily 
promotes  that  in  which  he  delights,  and  he  will 
fulfil  the  desires  he  hath  implanted. 

"  When  men  cast  seed  into  the  ground,  and 
sleep  and  rise  night  and  day,  the  seed  springeth 
and  groweth  up  they  know  not  how ;  first  the 
blade,  then  the  ear,  after  that  the  full  corn  in  ear." 
And  thus  it  is  in  the  kingdom  of  God ;  that  which 
is  sown  germinates.  As  "  the  earth  bringeth  forth 
fruit  of  itself,"  so  this  good  seed  springeth  up  unto 
everlasting  life.  He  that  soweth,  "  blesseth  the 
springing  thereof."  What  should  blight  it? — Satan 
and  his  emissaries  are  alone  inimical  to  its  growth, 
and  they  have  not  the  power.  They  may  sow 
tares  among  the  wheat,  but  the  wheat  shall  grow 
until  the  harvest ;  for  therefore  was  the  seed  de- 
posited. 

We  see  that  ripeness  or  full  stature  is  not  at- 
tained in  animal  or  vegetable  life  at  once,  or  when 
first  brought  into  being.  It  is  the  manner  of  Pro- 
vidence that  maturity  should  succeed  to  infancy. 
Immense  is  the  difference  between  the  sapling  and 
the  majestic  oak ;  and  great  is  the  dissimilarity 
between  the  infant  and  the  man  of  genius  and  of 
letters.     The  body  grows,  and  the  soul  increases 


140         THE    CHRISTIAN'S    LOVE    OF    HOLINESS. 

in  understanding  and  in  wisdom ;  and  there  is  pro- 
gression generally  in  our  world.  And  shall  the 
seed  of  grace  wither  and  die,  because  the  Almighty 
wills  not  to  bless  it  ?  It  springs  not  from  earth,  it 
is  not  the  product  of  the  soil.  It  comes  from  God, 
and  leads  to  God.  We  may  reverently  say  it  is 
the  most  congenial  to  God  of  all  that  is  beneath 
the  sun  ;  "  for  it  is  the  divine  nature  implanted  in 
man."* 

And  shall  this  that  is  the  most  noble,  the  most 
eminent  of  his  works,  with  which  we  are  acquaint- 
ed,— this  emanation  from  the  Deity, — this  in  which 
he  takes  more  especial  delight, — the  growth  of 
holiness  in  the  human  soul,  be  abandoned  by  him  ? 
Shall  this  seed  perish,  when  God  giveth  a  body  to 
all  grain,  it  may  chance  of  wheat  or  some  other  ? 
It  is  an  impossibility.  The  desire  of  holiness  in 
the  heart  of  man  will  terminate  in  its  full  fruition  ; 
it  is  Gdd's  work,  and  who  shall  let  it  1  To  him 
who  seeks  it,  shall  be  given  plenitude  of  holiness; 
and  consequent  on  plenitude  of  holiness,  is  pleni- 
tude of  joyfulness. 

And  now,  we  are  naturally  led  to  inquire,  do  we 
know  any  thing  of  happiness  in  connection  with 
holiness  ?  Are  holiness  and  happiness  assimilated 
in  our  minds  ?  Does  holiness  appear  to  us  pro- 
ductive of  happiness  ?     Can  we  conceive  of  hap- 

•  2  Peter  i.  4. 


THE    CHRISTIAN'S    LOVE    OF    HOLINESS.        141 

piness  separately  from  holiness,  or  does  sin  seem 
to  us  the  plant  on  which  enjoyment  grows  ?  Were 
we  perfectly  holy,  do  we  feel  that  we  should  be 
perfectly  happy  ?  Thus  it  is  with  those  in  whom 
even  the  first  fruits  of  holiness  are  found.  The 
mist  of  worldly  error  which  blinds  the  multitude, 
is  from  their  eyes  dispelled.  They  can  appreciate 
the  beauty  of  holiness  ;  they  can  conceive  that 
peace  and  joy  flow  from  purity  ;  they  can  feel  that 
in  holiness  joy  inherently  dwells. 

But  again,  how  are  we  affected  towards  holiness 
in  its  infinitude,  as  it  is  found  in  God  ?  Are  we 
charmed  with  the  lustre  of  Jehovah's  glorious  at- 
tributes ?  While,  like  the  light  of  the  sun,  their 
radiance  dazzles,  so  that  we  are  unable  to  gaze  on 
their  brightness,  which  it  is  not  in  mortals  to  com 
prehend,  do  we  delight  to  catch  a  glance  of  their 
unutterable  loveliness,  and  is  it  to  us  a  sight  the 
most  captivating  that  heaven  itself  can  discover  ? 
Thus,  too,  it  is  'with  those  in  whom  the  Spirit 
dwells.  God  is  their  all ;  when  unable  to  view 
him  through  the  intercepting  clouds  of  ignorance 
or  sin,  they  mourn ;  for,  in  adoration  their  most 
precious  moments  are  spent ;  when,  by  a  realizing 
apprehension,  the  glories  of  the  Divinity  are  faint- 
ly discoverable,  they  rejoice  ;  for  but  a  ray  of  light 
dispels  gloom  ;  and  when  faith  pierces  within  the. 
veil,  and  the  attributes  of  God  are  moite  plainly 
discerned,  they  triumph ;  for  joy  rises  in  propor- 


142     the  christian's  love  of  holiness. 

tion  lo  the  sight  they  obtain  of  his  ineffable  perfec- 
tions. "  The  children  of  Zion  are  joyful  in  their 
King." 

It  is  sweet  to  know  that  perfection  exists  ;  that 
there  is  such  a  thing  as  spotless  purity  ;  that  one 
Being  is  essentially,  eternally  holy.  It  is  sweeter 
to  know  that  this  Being  reigns  ;  that  he  is  Su- 
preme ;  that  he  is  God  over  all ;  that  all  things  are 
under  his  control,  are  under  his  feet.  But  it  is 
sweetest  to  think  that  this  God,  this  high,  this  holy 
God,  will  be  our  God ;  that  we  are  united  to  him 
in  indissoluble  bonds  for  ever ; — this  is  the  climax 
of  the  Christian's  joy.  When  he  can  realize  this, 
it  is  joy  unspeakable  ;  to  the  world,  incomprehen- 
sible !  This  is  the  joy  of  heaven,  for  there  "we 
shall  see  him  as  he  is."  And  there  no  cloud  can 
intercept  the  sight  of  him  who  reigns  immaculately 
holy.  There  the  Christian's  relationship  to  God 
shall  be  evident ;  it  shall  be  seen,  it  shrall  be  felt, 
that  God  and  his  saints  are  united.  "  That  they 
may  be  one  with  us,"*  was  the  great  design  the 
Redeemer  had  in  view,  when  he  gave  himself  a 
sacrifice  for  sin.  On  earth  this  union  is  accom- 
plished, but  in  heaven  it  is  apparent ;  and  it  shall 
be  productive  of  unutterable  blessedness  to  them 
who  have  learned  to  prize  God's  holiness. 

That  they  may  resemble  God,  and  delight  in 

•John  xvii.  21. 


THE    CHRISTIAN  S    LOVE    OF    HOLINESS.         143 

God,  is  the  design  of  the  Almighty,  when  sinners 
are  regenerated  by  his  grace.  This  is  regenera- 
tion, the  effect  produced  by  the  in-dwelling  of  the 
Spirit, — an  effect  at  once  ennobling  and  enraptur- 
ing. What  so  noble  as  to  bear  a  resemblance, 
however  faint,  to  the  perfection  of  the  Highest? 
What  so  rapturous  as  to  partake  of  that  which 
constitutes  God's  happiness  ? 

From  these  observations,  we  may  gather  how 
inconceivable  is  the  bliss  of  heaven  !  How  little 
do  we  know  of  the  joy  that  arises  from  nearness 
to,  and  intercourse  with,  God  ?  How  unable  are 
we  to  realize  the  feeling  of  complete  exemption 
from  the  bondage  of  corruption  !  or  the  delight 
which  perfect  purity  imparts  !  These  are  among 
the  things  which  "  eye  hath  not  seen,  nor  ear 
heard,  neither  hath  it  entered  into  the  heart  of 
man  to  conceive."  But  again,  we  ask,  have  we 
anv  conception  that  these  blessings  are  desirable  ? 
Does  it  appear  to  us  that  joy  can  accompany  them, 
and  that  without  them  there  is  no  true  joy  ?  Feel- 
ings such  as  these  are  forerunners  of  interminable 
blessedness.  There  must  be  a  preparation  of  the 
heart  ere  blessedness  can  find  admission.  In  our 
natural  state,  we  are  disqualified  to  receive  it ;  we 
are  incapacitated  to  experience  joy.  In  the  world's 
joy  is  sorrow,  is  misery,  is  death ;  and  therefore, 
it  deserves  not  the  name.     The   ability  to  taste 


144     the  christian's  love  of  holiness. 

true  joy  is  bestowed  by  God  on  his  people,  and 
certainly  and  invariably  terminates  in  its  fulness. 
And  where  holiness  charms,  joy  in  its  fulness  may, 
and  shall  be  tasted. 


CHAPTER  IX. 

THE  CAPACITY  TO  TASTE  JOY. 


Chief  distinction  between  the  worldly  and  religious — The  soul  must  be  formed 
for  happiness  ere  it  can  receive  it — Joy  in  God  alone  satisfying — Men 
of  the  world  Incapacitated  to  taste  joy — This  incapacity  tends  to,  and  is  a 
capacity  for,  misery — Consolatory  thought  to  believers — Capacity  for  joy 
may  be  given  where,  for  a  time,  little  joy  is  experienced — This  state  seldom 
of  long  continuance — Christians  should  exert  their  capacity  to  taste  joy — 
Affecting  state  of  those  who  are  destitute  of  it — It  should  be  sought — Es- 
sential of  true  joy. 


"  Should  fate  command  me  to  the  farthest  verge 
Of  the  green  earth,  to  distant  barbarous  climes, 
Riven  unknown  to  song ;  'tis  nought  to  me  ; 
Since  God  is  ever  present,  ever  felt, 
In  the  void  waste  as  in  the  city  full ; 
And  where  He  vital  breathes  there  must  be  joy." 

Having  considered  the  Christian  as  in  a  state  oi 
warfare  with  evil  propensities,  and  as  born  from 
above  to  delight  in  holiness,  it  becomes  apparent, 
that  the  distinction  between  the  people  of  the  world 
and  the  children  of  God's  kingdom,  is  no  flight, 
superficial,  outward  semblance ;  no  observance  of 
rites  or  ceremonies  ;  nothing  that  is  trivial  or  unim- 
portant. It  is  not  even  the  conduct  that  forms  the 
chief  difference  between  these  classes ;  it  is  the 

13 


146  THE    CAPACITY   TO    TASTE    JOY. 

peculiar  properties  of  the  heart  that  distinguishes 
them,  whence  the  tenor  of  the  life  naturally  flows. 
All  men  act  according  to  the  feelings  that  influence 
them.  We  do  not  gather  grapes  of  thorns,  nor  figs 
of  thistles ;  wherefore,  by  their  fruits  we  know  them. 
But  as  the  heart  alone  forms  the  character,  a  change 
in  any  man,  to  be  radical  and  durable,  must  be 
there  ;  and  it  is  thence  that  every  effect  in  the  life 
emanates. 

The  removal  of  that  distance  and  estrangement 
from  God,  or,  it  may  more  properly  be  termed, 
aversion  to  him,  which  in  the  unrenewed  is  univer- 
sal, combined  with  union  of  soul,  and  assimilation 
to  the  Deity,  is  the  very  essence  of  that  change 
which  the  spirit  of  God  effects.  And  one  of  its  chief 
peculiarities  is  a  capacity  to  taste  joy. 

It  is  not  sufficiently  considered  that  the  soul  must 
be  formed  for  happiness,  before  happiness  can  be 
bestowed  upon  the  soul.  Place  a  man  in  a  situa- 
tion of  much  enjoyment  to  others,  if  he  has  no  de- 
light in  what  affords  it  to  them,  he  will  experience 
none.  Therefore,  the  capacity  to  receive  joy  is  an 
essential  preliminary  to  its  existence.  There  are 
many  things  that  afford  enjoyment  to  man  in  his 
fallen  state,  and  from  wThich  he  can  derive  it,  which, 
nevertheless,  yield  no  true  joy.  To  induce  joy 
there  must  be  the  idea,  false  or  true,  that  good  is 
attained,  or  likely  to  be  so.  If  that  which  promises, 
or  may  for  cne  time  yield  enjoyment,  is  not  true 


THE    CAPACITY    TO    TASTE    JOY.  147 

good,  the  joy  will  inevitably  cease,  and  therefore 
does  not  deserve  the  name.  Joy,  to  be  full,  must 
be  stable,  must  be  satisfying,  must  be  without  end ; 
and  of  this  joy  there  is  but  one  origin ;  there  is 
one  spring  only  of  unspeakable  blessedness — joy 
in  God  ;  not  in  his  gifts,  but  in  Himself.  "  /  am 
thy  shield,  and  thy  exceeding  great  reward"  is  the 
language  of  Jehovah  to  his  believing  people.  Joy, 
in  its  infinitude,  is  founded  on  the  possession  of  what 
is  felt  to  be  the  highest  good.  That  boundlessness 
of  perfection  dwells  in  God  none  will  deny.  Where 
else  shall  we  find  it  if  not  in  its  origin,  in  the  great 
First  Cause  of  all  that  is  good  in  the  creation ! 
Here,  there  is  a  beauty,  that  even  to  contemplate 
shall  be  joyful.  And  when  this  source  of  all  ex- 
cellencies is  united  to  us  in  the  closest  ties  of  af- 
finity and  of  affection,  so  that  we  are  said  to  be  one 
with  him,  partaking  of  his  love,  and  of  his  glory,* 
joy  is  the  unfailing  result,  according  to  the  mea- 
sure in  which  we  can  realize  a  portion  so  inexpres- 
sibly precious.  Thus,  that  which  gives  true  joy, 
must,  in  its  nature,  be  calculated  to  bless. 

There  is  no  affection  that  imparts  transport  to 
the  soul  so  amply  as  love,  when  it  is  fully  warrant- 
ed by  the  qualities  of  the  object  beloved,  and  when 
it  is  largely  returned.  If,  then,  our  love  is  fixed 
upon  God,  according  to  the  degree  in  which  we  are 

*  John.  xvii.  22  23. 


148  THE    CAPACITY    TO    TASTE    JOY. 

enabled  to  see,  by  faith,  our  interest  in  him,  and 
that,  wonderful  as  it  may  appear,  his  love  is  be- 
stowed upon  us,  must  joy  arise.  And  infinite  joy 
can  only  proceed  from  the  knowledge  that  a  Being 
of  infinite  excellence,  and  unbounded  perfection,  is 
ours,  to  bless,  to  ennoble,  to  enrich,  to  purify,  eter- 
nally ! 

There  is  but  one  species  of  joy,  then,  thus  dur- 
able, thus  giving  rest  to  the  soul ;  and  if  we  have 
no  capacity  to  receive  it,  we  cannot  know  what 
happiness  is.  If  joy  is  unconnected  with  this 
highest  good,  it  is  fallacious  ;  it  is  not  true  joy ;  it 
is  from  a  failing  source,  which  never  can  gratify  in 
perpetuity. 

And  thus  it  is  with  men  of  the  world.  Their 
conceptions  of  what  affords  joy  are  diversified  ac- 
cording to  their  various  tastes,  properties,  and 
situations  in  life  ;  but  they  have  no  pleasure  in  that 
which  constitutes  the  joy  of  heaven,  and  no  con- 
ception that  the  fountain  of  joy  is  in  God,  or  that 
holiness  charms.  The  blind  are  not  more  inca- 
pacitated to  see,  or  the  deaf  to  hear,  than  the 
world's  votaries  are  to  experience  unspeakable 
blessedness.  It  is  that  for  which  they  are  without 
a  sense ;  they  are  destitute  of  all  that  awakens  it ; 
they  are  filled  with  what  is  inimical  to  it ;  they 
are  without  the  perception  that  it  can  exist. 

Tell  a  man  born  blind  how  lovely  is  the  blush 
of  the   rose,  the   tints   of  the   carnation,   or  the 


THE    CAPACITY    TO    TASTE    JOY.  149 

colours  of  the  rainbow,  and  he  is  no  wiser ;  he  has 
no  conception  what  is  meant ;  he  is  without  the 
faculty  to  comprehend  what  he  is  told.  Or,  strive 
to  enforce  upon  a  man  who  was  born  deaf,  that 
sounds  enchant,  that  music  charms,  and  that  har- 
mony delights,  he  may  be  made  to  understand  that 
you  have  a  sense  from  which  he  is  shut  out,  but 
he  is  not  informed  in  what  that  sense  consists  ;  all 
he  knows  is,  that  you  feel  differently,  and  that  he 
is  unable  to  experience  pleasure  from  that  which 
imparts  it  to  others. 

And  endeavour  to  instruct  the  worldly  in  the  na- 
ture of  heaven's  joy,  like  the  blind  and  the  deaf, 
they  have  no  ability  to  comprehend  it.  With  dif- 
ficulty they  are  persuaded  that  any  human  being 
can  experience  joy  in  God  alone ;  yet,  should  the 
testimony  of  the  godly  convince  them  that  the 
genuine  disciples  of  Christ  are  joyous  in  propor- 
tion as  they  approach  the  source  of  true  joy,  they 
are  free  to  confess  that  it  is  not  so  with  them  ;  that 
they  are  destitute  of  the  faculty  to  receive  this  joy  ; 
that  they  are  without  the  sense  which  feels  it. 

Now,  this  destitution  of  capacity  to  feel  happi- 
ness in  its  fullest  measure,  of  itself  leads  to  misery. 
Where  light  cannot  enter,  there  is  darkness  ;  where 
the  harmony  of  sound  is  shut  out,  there  is  the  still- 
ness of  death.  Happiness  and  misery  are  opposed 
to  each  other ;  if  the  one  gains  entrance,  the  other 
retreats  ;  if  joy  be  present,  grief  is  absent.     And 

13* 


150  THE    CAPACITY    TO    TASTE    JOT. 

as  perfect  love  casteth  out  fear,  so  perfect  joy 
casteth  out  sorrow.  In  their  plenitude  they  cannot 
exist  together ;  wherefore,  the  absence  of  joys  tends 
to  wretchedness. 

But  not  only  so,  where  there  is  no  capacity  to 
admit  joy,  there  is  a  capacity  for  misery.  If  there 
is  no  desire  after  communion  with  God,  there  is  a 
desire  to  depart  from  him  ;  and  in  a  departure  from 
God  consists  misery.  Joy,  as  a  radiance,  encircles 
the  Deity ;  the  nearer  to  its  centre  the  fuller  is*  the 
perception  of  joyfulness  ;  and  misery  is  propor- 
tionally increased  as  we  recede  from  it.  Where- 
fore, to  quit  the  confines  of  joy  is  to  enter  the 
bounds  of  misery ;  and  if  the  desire  of  distance 
from  true  joy  be  present,  so  will  those  desires 
which  tend  to  wretchedness.  It  has  been  noticed, 
that  the  pleasures  of  the  world,  from  repetition, 
cloy,  and  pall  upon  the  vitiated  taste  that  seeks 
them  still,  because  it  knows  no  higher.  Yet,  on 
the  supposition  that  they  were  capable  of  affording 
gratification  during  life,  this  counterfeit  of  real  en- 
joyment must  end  with  it,  when  an  endless  dura- 
tion of  misery  is  the  inevitable  result.  Thus,  con- 
nected with  the  incapacity  to  receive  joy,  is  the 
capacity  to  endure  misery. 

An  equal  susceptibility  of  joy  and  sorrow  cannot 
be  balanced  in  the  same  breast ;  a  tendency  to  one 
will  preponderate ;  and  where  the  preponderance 
lies,  the  effect  will  be  to  counteract  the  other ;  and 


THE    CAPACITY    TO    TASTE    JOY.  151 

finally,  as  a  necessary  consequence,  to  exterminate 
it  altogether.  As  fire  and  water  extinguish  each 
other,  so  do  joy  and  sorrow  ;  they  each  root  out 
the  counteracting  principle ;  as  the  one  advances, 
the  other  departs. 

And  here  a  thought  naturally  arises,  which  can- 
not fail  of  being  consolatory  to  the  genuine  believer 
in  Christ.  If  the  worldly  are  disqualified  to  admit 
joy,  so  are  the  children  of  God  to  entertain  sor- 
row ;  it  spontaneously  flies  from  them.  Their 
hearts  are  destined  to  be  filled  with  joy,  and  there 
shall  be  no  room  to  admit  grief.  They  shall  un- 
interruptedly receive  joy  from  its  fountain,  their 
eternal  portion,  Jehovah  Himself;  and  associated 
with  its  fulness,  sorrow  cannot  live  ;  there  is  no 
space  left  by  which  it  may  enter.  In  this  earth, 
it  is  true,  there  are  sources  of  disquietude  that  mar 
the  Christian's  joy ;  but  the  reason  is  plain,  his 
highest  good  has  not  fully  taken  possession  of  the 
soul ;  therefore,  there  is  still  place  for  grief.  And 
so  with  the  worldly ;  they  have,  at  times,  while 
here,  what  they  deem  pleasure  ;  for  the  misery  to 
which  they  tend  is  not  full,  and  their  gratifications, 
such  as  they  may  be,  also  find  scope.  But  as  the 
Christian  is  susceptible  of,  and  shall  possess,  the 
truest  and  purest  joy,  so  the  worldly  are  suscepti- 
ble of,  and  shall  inherit,  the  deepest  sorrow.  When 
joy  or  misery  gains  full  admission  into  the  heart, 
they  each  cast  out  the  opposing  principle  for  ever. 


152  THE    CAPACITY    TO    TASTE    JOY. 

It  may,  however,  be  necessary  to  remark,  that 
the  capacity  of  which  we  treat  is  frequently  given, 
where,  nevertheless,  little  joyfulness  is  for  a  time 
experienced.  Many  reasons  may  be  assigned  why 
it  is  so ;  and  one  seems  evident,  it  is  the  joy  of 
heaven  that  believers  are  capacitated  to  entertain  ; 
and  therefore  it  is  not  to  be  expected  that  they  shall 
fully  possess  it  while  upon  earth.  The  excess  of 
heaven's  joy  is  peculiar  to  heaven,  as  it  arises  from 
union  with,  and  nearness  to,  God,  which  there  is 
uninterrupted  and  apparent ;  whereas,  in  this  land 
of  exile,  faith  in  their  relationship  to  God,  and  in 
their  interest  in  his  love,  is  chiefly  that  which  glad- 
dens the  hearts  of  his  children. 

The  weakness  of  faith,  then,  is  another  reason 
why  believers  do  not  at  all  times  rejoice.  The 
disciples  of  Jesus  who  in  this  world  possess  most 
joy,  are  those  in  whom  faith  most  abounds ;  and 
in  proportion  to  the  cordiality  with  which  the  re- 
cord of  God  concerning  a  full  and  a  free  salvation, 
through  ImmanuePs  costly  sacrifice,  is  received, 
will  be  the  measure  of  the  Christian's  joy.  If  a 
doubt  arises  of  his  interest  in  this  salvation,  joy 
must  abate  ;  if  he  can  fearlessly  exclaim,  "  my  be- 
loved is  mine,  and  I  am  his,"  joy  will  with  equal 
certainty  be  his  portion.  "  It  is  believing  that  he 
rejoices  with  joy  unspeakable,  and  full  of  glory." 

But  there  are  periods  when  the  conceptions  the 
believer  may  entertain  of  the  beauty  and  excellency 


THE    CAPACITY    TO    TASTE    JOY.  153 

of  his  King  arc  more  than  usually  faint,  and  at 
such  times  he  will  be  less  joyful.     Darkness,  while 
on  earth,  rests  upon  the  minds  even  of  the  favoured 
few  who  are  capable  of  delight  in  God ;  they  are 
fitted  for,  and  shall  enjoy,  the  beatific  vision,  but  it 
is  not  present  with  them.     At  some  seasons  this 
darkness  is  more  dense,  the  horizon  is  obscured, 
the  sun  is  not  even  seen  behind  a  cloud,  he  is  alto- 
gether eclipsed,  and  joy  is  lessened.     The  capa- 
city to  entertain  it,  is  unimpaired ;  but  the  object 
that  excites  it,  the  perfections  of  the  divine  charac- 
ter, is  with  diminished  clearness  beheld.     Still,  be- 
lievers are  equally  capable  of  receiving  even  its 
fulness,  but  that  which  induces  it,  the  beauties  of 
their  King,  is  not  to  their  mind's  eye  present.     A 
single  glance  would  awaken  it,  and  in  proportion 
to  the  view  obtained  would  be  the  delight  expe- 
rienced ;   but,  for  a  period  they  may  have  little 
realizing  conception  of  that  whence  their  joy  arises. 
At  such  seasons,  however,  comfort  is   afforded 
by  the  belief  the  Christian  entertains  that  the  at 
tributes  of  his  King  are  unspeakably  glorious,  and 
cannot  shine  brighter  !    With  this  he  rests  satisfied, 
waiting  for   those  joyous    communications  of  the 
Spirit,  which,  bringing   life    with  them,  manifest 
God  to  the  soul.     And,  "  Oh  !  that  I  knew  where 
I  might  find  Him,"  is  the  language  of  that  heart 
which  seeks  its  joy  in  a  God  that  hideth  himself. 
"  He  that  loveth  me,  said  Jesus,  shall  be  loved  of 


154  THE    CAPACITY    TO    TASTE    JOY. 

my  Father,  and  I  will  love  him,  and  will  manifest 
myself  to  him,"  and  this  manifestation  creates  the 
Christian's  joy. 

It  is  not,  however,  generally,  for  any  lengthened 
period,  that  those  who  are  thus  empowered  to  taste 
true  joy  walk  in  darkness,  and  see  no  light.  The 
new  nature  in  Christ  is  formed  to  have  its  senses 
exercised.  That  quality  which  can  taste  joy  is 
not  given  to  lie  dormant ;  it  is  bestowed  to  bless 
the  recipient  of  it ;  and,  like  the  desire  of  holiness, 
is  an  effect  produced  by  the  Spirit  of  God,  with 
the  intention  that  the  faculty  should  be  gratified 
and  employed.  God  is  not  so  prodigal  of  his 
workmanship  as  to  give  any  sense  to  man  that  is 
useless  to  him.  All  our  senses  are  unfailingly  pro- 
ductive of  benefit  to  us,  and  answer  the  end  de- 
signed. And  where  the  capacity  to  joy  in  God  is 
found,  the  end  in  view,  undoubtedly  is,  that  we 
may  rejoice  in  Him.  This  is  the  merciful  inten- 
tion of  Jehovah ;  and  while  He  lives  and  reigns, 
the  joy  of  those  who  derive  their  happiness  from 
himself  is  secure.  It  may  be  interrupted  for  a 
time,  but  the  sense  being  given  is  a  pledge  that  it 
shall  be  exercised. 

On  earth,  indeed,  there  is  no  fulness  of  joy,  even 
in  those  who  are  the  best  qualified  to  receive  it. 
The  joy  of  the  Christian  is  greater  than  other  men 
know ;  but  it  is  not  uninterrupted,  nor  does  capa 
city  alone  limit  it.     Joy  like   this  is  peculiar  to 


THE    CAPACITY    TO    TASTE    JOY.  155 

heaven ;  there  all  shall  experience  whatever  bliss 
their  natures  are  capable  of  receiving;  there  shall 
be  no  limitation  but  the  capacity  to  contain  more ; 
the  joy  of  all  shall  be  full.  In  that  land  of  light 
and  blessedness,  God  is  clearly  manifested.  The 
glory  and  honour  of  his  perfections  are  seen  in  a 
manner  that  to  us,  while  here,  is  incomprehensible. 
How  infinitely  His  greatness  and  His  beauty  excel 
those  of  all  created  intelligences  becomes  appa- 
rent !  And  to  those  who  have  learned  to  place 
their  joy  in  what  He  is,  delight  is  consequent  on 
the  clearer  discovery  of  it.  The  image  of  God  is 
reflected  in  those  who  thus  behold  Him  :  purity 
and  felicity  are  the  result  of  this  vision  of  their 
essence,  and  the  homage  of  the  heart  seeks  its 
gratification  in  unceasing  worship  and  service. 

But,  Christian,  if  the  capacity  to  joy  in  God  is 
given  that  it  may  be  exercised,  is  it  your  endea- 
vour to  exert  it  ?  There  is  no  prodigal  waste  of 
divine  bounty ;  every  sense  is  bestowed  with  the 
design  that  it  should  be  used.  Privileged  to  par- 
take of  heaven's  bliss,  feeling  an  inexpressible 
void  when  God  is  absent,  which  nothing  else  can 
supply,  be  yet  more  anxiously  desirous  to  drink 
deeper  of  this  fountain  of  blessedness.  Seek  with 
increased  fervency  the  Spirit's  influence  that  de- 
lightfully manifests  God  to  the  soul,  and  let  no 
created  good,  even  for  a  time,  divert  your  thoughts 
from  Him  in  whom  your  joy  is  found. 


156  THE    CAPACITY    TO   TASTE    JOY. 

There  are  reasons,  we  have  seen,  that  may  oc- 
casion to  the  believer  an  abatement  of  joy ;  such 
as  darkness  and  weakness  of  faith,  or  from  divine 
grace  being  less  amply  communicated  ;  but  the 
same  effect  may  proceed  from  the  misimprovement 
of  that  grace  which  has  been  imparted.  It  is  pos- 
sible that  those  who  are  capacitated  to  taste  true 
blessedness  may  neglect  the  gift  that  is  in  them, 
and  fail  in  the  unceasing  endeavour  to  draw  living 
water  out  of  the  wells  of  salvation.  If  the  thoughts 
are  suffered,  in  a  season  of  temptation,  to  be  ab- 
sorbed in  earthly  things,  our  highest  joy  may  still 
be  in  God,  but  it  will  not  be  felt  to  be  so.  The 
sense  may  remain  unimpaired,  but  it  will  be  unem- 
ployed and  unimproved.  Joy  can  spring  from 
nothing  unless  we  contemplate  it ;  no  sense  can 
gratify  unless  we  use  it.  The  loveliest  object  can- 
not charm  if  the  eyes  be  shut,  nor  can  melody  en- 
chant if  we  stop  our  ears,  nor  can  God  himself 
delight  if  not  in  all  our  thoughts. 

Wherefore,  Christian  !  to  whom  is  given  the 
sense  to  taste  joy,  use  it.  Behold  by  faith  the  glo- 
ries of  that  Divine  Being,  the  plenitude  of  whose 
perfections,  combined  with  his  relationship  to  you, 
form  your  bliss.  Take  the  spiritual  light  which 
He  has  bestowed  upon  you,  and  by  the  aid  of  his 
grace  seek,  as  for  hid  treasure,  after  the  knowledge 
of  the  Highest.  Be  not  contented  with  a  superfi- 
cial glance,  but  let  the  thickly  clustered  excellencies 


THE    CAPACITY    TO    TASTE    JOY.  157 

of  Jehovah  be  your  search,  for  to  know  Him  is 
life  eternal.  See  the  sufficiency  that  there  is  in 
God  for  the  creature's  life  and  happiness.  Con- 
template the  divine  character,  till  joy  be  full.  Let 
His  word  direct  the  inquiry.  Ponder  well  what  is 
written  of  each  of  his  attributes,  till  something  of 
the  meaning  of  their  weight  and  amplitude  be  con- 
ceived. You  have  the  ability  to  rejoice  in  them ; 
exert  it.  See  their  brightness  rendered  visible  to 
human  eyes  in  the  man  Christ  Jesus.  Behold  all 
the  perfections  of  the  Deity  in  the  garb  of  human 
flesh,  and  say  if  the  contemplation  be  not  sweet : 
if  it  be  not  joyful  to  muse  on  the  power  and  the 
love,  the  truth  and  the  justice,  the  wisdom  and  the 
goodness  of  Him,  who  was  an  infant  of  days,  and 
the  mighty  God ;  the  everlasting  Father,  and  our 
elder  Brother. 

•  Let  no  causes,  therefore,  of  darkness  and  dis- 
tress disquiet  you ;  with  Christ  you  are  rich  for 
eternity  !  And  if  through  manifold  temptations 
you  may  have  been  in  heaviness,  let  your  tears 
cease,  for  God  lives.  And  while  God  is,  and  you 
can  delight  yourself  in  Him,  your  happiness  is  se- 
cure. It  is  His  will  that  you  should  derive  it  from 
his  fulness,  otherwise  he  would  not  have  enabled 
you  to  do  so.  This  sense  is  a  gift ;  all  men  have 
it  not.  "  I  create  Jerusalem  a  rejoicing,  and  her 
people   a  joy."     The   ills   of  time   shall   swiftly 

14 


158  THE    CAPACITY    TO    TASTE    JOY. 

vanish,  but  God  is.  "  I  am  is  his  memorial  unto 
all  generations." 

The  consideration  of  this  interesting  subject,  the 
believer's  joy  in  God,  induces  the  conviction  that 
those  in  whose  hearts  this  joy  has  no  place,  are  in 
a  state  truly  pitiable.  Oh  !  that  their  own  minds 
were  duly  affected  by  their  melancholy  condition ! 
Misery  is  the  portion  they  have  chosen  ;  towards 
its  fulness  they  advance  by  rapid  strides,  leaving 
joy  behind  them,  as  that  which  they  desire  not, 
and  from  which  they  farther  and  farther  recede. 
The  barrier  to  their  tasting  it  is  not  that  it  is  with- 
held from  them,  but  that  they  are  incapacitated  to 
partake  of  it,  resembling  the  instances  alluded  to, 
where  the  eye  or  the  ear  being  defective,  infallibly 
excludes  sight  and  hearing-.  Our  Lord  himself 
says  of  such  persons,  that  they  cannot  see  the 
kingdom  of  God.*  They  are  disqualified,  they  are 
unfitted  to  enjoy  the  heavenly  felicity.  And  where 
joy  is  thus  shut  out,  sorrow  shall  pour  in  as  a 
flood  against  the  incursions  of  which  there  is  no 
defence,  and  where  the  ground  unoccupied  shall 
leave  abundant  room  for  its  entrance. 

If  there  are  any  who  feel  the  truth  of  these  state- 
ments, who  know  their  incapacity  to  taste  the  joy 
of  heaven,  wdio  see  the  misery  to  which  they  are 
consequently  exposed,  and   who   are   ready  with 

*  John  iii.  3. 


THE    CAPACITY    TO    TASTE    JOY.  159 

earnestness  to  inquire,  "  what  then  shall  we  do  to 
recover  from  a  condition  thus  hopeless  ?"  we  would 
refer  them  to  the  subject  of  the  preceeding  chapt 
ter.  To  such  inquirers  it  is  no  matter  of  doub- 
whether  the  regenerating  influences  of  the  Holy- 
Spirit  be  necessary.  They  are  fully  aware  that, 
unless  they  are  born  again,  in  the  emphatic  lan- 
guage of  Scripture,  they  perish.  It  is  the  Spirit 
of  God  alone  that  gives  the  capacity  to  partake  of 
heavenly  blessedness.  All  mankind  are  by  nature 
dead  to  joy  in  God,  and  all  who  are  susceptible  of 
delight  in  the  contemplation  of  what  God  is,  and 
in  communion  with  Him,  receive  the  faculty  thus 
to  rejoice,  by  the  gift  of  the  Holy  Ghost.  And 
the  capacity  to  taste  fulness  of  joy,  and  the  bless- 
edness which  as  surely  results  from  this  capacity, 
as  the  sensations  results  from  the  structure  of  the 
body,  depend  entirely  on  the  influences  of  the 
Spirit. 

It  is  therefore  evident  that  if  this  faculty  be  a 
gift,  we  must  seek  it  from  Him  whose  it  is  to  be- 
stow. Inexpressibly  valuable  as  are  those  com- 
munications, without  which  joy  in  its  greatest  ex- 
tent cannot  find  access  to  the  heart  of  man,  they 
are  unfailingly  given  where  they  are  sought.  "  Ask, 
and  ye  shall  receive,"  is  the  encouraging  assurance 
of  truth  itself;  and  God  is  as  able  as  he  is  willing, 
"  to  make  all  grace  abound  towards  you." 

There  is  an  essential  requisite  to  true  blessed- 


160  THE    CAPACITY    TO    TASTE    JOY. 

ness,  which  is  frequently  not  kept  in  view,  that  we 
delight  in  that  which  has  no  tendency  to  cease,  but 
will  last  for  ever.     All  sources  of  joy  shall  fail, 
with  the  exception  of  joy  in  God  ;  this  alone  en- 
dures.    It  lives  in  the  soul  an  unceasing  fountain 
of  bliss  throughout  endless  ages.     If  we  have  an 
ability  to  joy  in  God,  he  gave  it.     If  we  delight  in 
him,  it  is  because  he  hath  delight  in  us,  and  wills 
our  joy,  and  therefore  no  circumstance  can  rob  us 
of  it.     When  the  naked  soul,  dislodged  from  the 
body,  shall  find  itself  bereft  of  every  thing  here, 
and  without  one  earthly  prop  upon  which  to  lean ; 
yea,  when  the  world  and  all  the  many  tribes  which 
animate  it  shall  be  burnt  up  ;  when  Nature's  laws 
shall  fail,  the    sun  be  darkened,  and  the  moon  not 
give  her  light ;  or,  should  even  the  universe  be  ex- 
tinct ;  still  joy,  abundant  joy,  Christian  !  is  found 
for  you,  while  God  lives.     You  seek  no  other  por- 
tion, and  your  portion  is  immutable,  and  therefore 
immutable  is  your  joy.     Oh  !  the  stability  of  that 
bliss  which  flows  from  God,  and  the  joy,  the  unut- 
terable joy,  of  him  in  whom  is  the  capacity  to  taste 
it !     In  that  soul  heaven  is  begun,  and  heaven  is 
secure  forever ! 


CHAPTER  X. 

CHRISTIAN  GRACES  GIVEN  TO  BE  USED. 


All  God's  works  manifestly  with  design— Design  in  the  formation  of  the  new 
man  in  Christ  Jesus — Diligently  to  employ  their  talents,  pressed  upon  Chris- 
tians— Such  as  love,  trust,  abasement,  ability  to  pray,  to  praise,  to  endure, 
to  labour,  to  fight— By  nature  destitute  of  them  all— Gift  of  Holy  Spirit 
unspeakably  valuable,  and  given  to  be  exhibited  to  the  praise  of  God's 
grace. 


"  The  soul  on  earth  is  an  immortal  guest, 
Compell'd  to  starve  at  an  unreal  feast : 
A  spark  that  upwards  tends  by  Nature's  force, 
A  stream  diverted  from  its  parent  source, 
A  drop  dissever'd  from  the  boundless  sea, 
A  moment  parted  from  eternity ! 
A  pilgrim  panting  for  a  rest  to  come, 
An  exile  anxious  for  his  native  home." 

In  the  last  chapter  the  ideas  have  been  suggested, 
that  the  soul  of  man,  when  born  again  of  the  Spirit, 
and  renewed  by  the  Holy  Ghost,  receives  a  capa- 
city to  taste  joy,  of  which,  by  nature,  we  are  not 
possessed  ;  and  that  this  capacity  is  given  with  the 
design  that  it  may  be  used.  These  remarks  equal- 
ly apply  to  all  the  sensations  and  affections  of  the 
soul  when  created  anew  in  Christ  Jesus  :  they  are 
gifts, — they   are   given   to   be   employed   by   us 

14# 


162  GRACE    GIVEN    TO    BE    USED. 

Every  th'ng  that  God  hath  wrought  is  manifestly 
with  design.  There  is  no  member  of  the  body  that 
is  not  exactly  fitted  for  its  intended  purpose,  and 
does  not  promote  our  comfort  by  its  use.  Divine 
skill  and  intention  are  evident  in  all  God's  works  ; 
and  the  structure  of  the  largest  and  of  the  minutest 
animal  alike  mark  them.  The  huge  proboscis  of 
the  elephant  is  formed  that  its  strength  may  be  ex- 
erted ;  and  fibres  belonging  to  living  creatures,  that 
are  invisible  to  our  sight,  excepting  by  the  aid  of 
the  microscope,  are  bestowed  for  their  benefit. 
There  is  design  in  all  the  organs  of  countless  my- 
riads of  animalculae.  They  propel  themselves 
by  the  instruments  of  motion  which  are  given 
them  ;  and  although  provided  with  organs  so  small 
as  to  be  imperceptible  to  man's  eye,  their  limbs, 
and  their  lungs,  and  their  mouths,  are  as  valuable 
to  them  as  ours  are  to  us.  Every  component  part 
of  each  individual  creature  is  made  to  perform  some 
function.  There  is  no  prodigality  of  the  Divine 
workmanship, — no  organ,  of  any  thing  that  lives, 
which  is  useless, — nothing  is  made  in  vain. 

The  vegetable  creation  is  likewise  manifestly, 
and  in  an  equal  measure,  formed  with  skill  and 
with  design.  Its  beauty,  its  variety,  its  multipli- 
city, are  evidently  intended  to  regale  the  senses, 
and  to  minister  to  the  necessities  of  man,  of  insect, 
and  of  beast.  One  of  our  senses  is  charmed  by 
the  verdure  of  plants,  by  their  majestic  stateliness, 


GRACE    GIVEN    TO    BE    USED.  163 

and  by  the  brilliancy  and  loveliness  of  their  hues ; 
and  another  sense  derives  satisfaction  from  a  class 
that  are  equally  nutritious  and  grateful ;  while  a 
third  is  delighted  by  the  fragrance  which  enriches 
not  a  few  of  the  most  delicate  of  the  vegetable 
tribes.  Some  are  medicinal,  and  for  this  end  are 
formed ;  and  all  are  intended  to  perpetuate  their 
species,  and  never  fail  to  do  so.  Thus  God  works 
with  design,  and  the  accomplishment  of  that  design 
is  equally  from  his  operation ;  and  wherever  a 
quality  is  given  by  God  that  tends  to  any  effect, 
there  too  will  the  effect  be  given  which  that  quality 
is  designed  to  produce. 

And  the  new  man  in  Christ  Jesus,  equally  with 
all  the  other  works  of  God,  is  formed  with  design. 
Is  there  not  a  purpose  when  the  Spirit  powerfully 
rests  upon  the  soul,  when  the  faculties  are  renewed, 
when  the  affections  are  transformed,  when  the  slave 
of  sin  is  made  to  hate  it,  and  the  hater  of  God's 
law  to  love  it  ?  Such  a  work  as  this  is  surely  not 
in  vain.  The  hand  of  God  in  it  is  visible,  and  it 
is  apparent  that  there  is  design  in  an  operation  thus 
marvellous'.  It  must  be  so  ;  and  the  more  won- 
derful the  means,  we  may  confidently  affirm,  the 
greater  will  be  the  effect  that  by  them  is  intended 
to  be  accomplished.  And  what  is  the  plan  in  the 
Divine  counsel  when  the  Holy  Ghost  operates  on 
the  heart  of  man  ? — The  intention  of  the  Almighty 
is,  that  he  may  be  glorified  in  his   creature ;  that 


164  GRACE    GIVEN   TO    BE    USED. 

men  may  bear  the  image  of  the  Eternal ;  that  ten 
thousand  times  ten  thousand  of  the  descendants  of 
Adam  may  surround  the  throne  of  God  for  ever ! 
The  means  by  which  this  end  is  brought  to  pass, 
are  not  fortuitous,  they  are  with  design,  and  they 
accomplish  that  design.  It  is  God's  work  which 
is  and  shall  be  perfect,  nor  shall  it  cease  until  it  be 
completed. 

What  we  would  therefore  press  upon  the  consi- 
deration of  the  disciples  of  Jesus,  from  these  re- 
flections, is,  that  they  diligently  employ  the  talents 
and  graces  their  God  hath  given  them.  Are  they 
enabled  to  taste  joy  ?  let  them  make  the  most  of  a 
capacity  thus  enviable.  Or,  are  the  abilities  given 
them  to  love,  to  trust,  to  hope,  to  endure,  to  be 
abased,  to  forgive,  to  pray,  to  praise,  to  work,  to 
fight,  to  use  the  shield  of  faith,  to  overcome  the 
fiery  darts  of  the  wicked  one  ? — these,  and  every 
other  affection  and  capacity  of  the  renewed  soul, 
are  gifts,  and  the  intention  of  the  Most  High,  in 
the  bestowal  of  them,  is  that  they  may  be  used. 

Christian  !  you  can  love — the  world  at  large  can- 
not. The  affection  which  they  feel  for  others  cen- 
tres in  self.  It  is  not  the  principle  that  expands, 
that  blesses  far  as  the  influence  of  Him  in  whom 
it  dwells,  can  reach.  It  is  not  that  love  which  is 
an  emanation  from  the  Deity,  which  draws  the 
soul  in  closest  bonds  towards  Himself,  and  thence 
extends  its  kindly  regards  to  all  mankind.     It  is 


GRACE  GIVEN  TO  BE  USED.        165 

not  that  diffusive  principle  which  "is  twice  blessed," 
blessing  him  who  feels  it,  and  them  for  whom  it  is 
felt.  This  love  is  a  gift  implanted  in  the  heart  by 
the  Holy  Ghost,  and  it  is  given  that  its  energies 
may  adorn  the  character,  and  that,  through  its  me- 
dium, blessings  may  descend  from  the  Eternal ; 
that  it  may  not  lie  dormant,  but  be  used.  Where- 
fore, believing  soul,  abound  in  love  !  Love  fer- 
vently, love  constantly,  love  eminently.  Love 
Him  whose  essence  is  Love,  and  in  him  love  his 
creatures.  Love  your  kindred,  love  your  enemies, 
love  saints,  love  angels,  love  strangers,  love  aliens. 
"  Be  rooted  and  grounded  in  love."  Let  all  en- 
mity cease.  Let  universal  charity  prevail.  Be- 
gin the  life  of  heaven,  which  is  everlasting  love  ! 

Or,  believer  in  Jesus,  you  feel  that  you  can 
trust ;  that  there  is  a  Rock  upon  which  you  lean  ; 
that  other  dependencies  you  neither  have  nor  can 
have  ;  that  every  prop  besides  breaks  beneath  your 
weight ;  that  this  one  alone  is  stable,  is  sure,  and 
you  know  that  you  have  the  ability  to  lean  upon  it. 
If  you  recline  to  the  right  or  to  the  left  your  stay 
is  lost ;  but  fully  confiding  the  entire  pressure  upon 
the  Rock,  you  remain  firm,  undaunted,  immove- 
able !  You  see  the  many  around  you  lean  on 
broken  reeds,  and  one  after  another  fall  headlong ; 
or,  they  try  to  support  their  own  weight,  fearful  of 
trusting  it  to  Omnipotence,  and  they  find  that  stand 
they  cannot.     And  these  have  no  ability  to  rest  on 


166  GRACE    GIVEN    TO    BE    USED. 

the  Rock,  while  their  dependence  is  placed  on 
something  else.  But,  believer,  the  ability  is  thine, 
wherefore,  use  it.  Trust  the  soul  naked,  impure, 
stained  with  sin,  helpless,  on  that  "Arm  which 
hath  awoke,  put  on  strength,  wounded  the  dragon, 
and  made  the  depth  of  the  sea  a  way  for  the  ran- 
somed to  pass  over."  Trust  implicitly  that  in  this 
reliance  the  soul  is  safe, — that  it  cannot  finally  fall 
while  it  thus  leans, — that  it  shall  be  purified,  en- 
nobled, glorified  !  And  trust  the  body, — this  poor, 
frail,  decaying,  dying  body, — trust  it  to  Him  who 
took  part  of  the  same,  who  was  partaker  of  flesh 
and  blood,  and  who  took  our  infirmities  and  bare 
our  sicknesses.  Is  the  body,  then,  diseased,  in- 
firm, waxing  old,  nigh  to  that  state  where  it  shall 
be  a  prey  to  worms  ?  trust  it  to  Him,  who,  although 
worms  should  destroy  it,  is  the  resurrection  and 
the  life,  by  whose  power  it  shall  arise  a  glorious 
body,  not  having  spot,  or  wrinkle,  or  any  such 
thing.  Believe  that  it  shall  bear  the  image  of  the 
Lord  from  heaven ;  that  this  corruptible  shall  put 
on  incorruption,  and  this  mortal  shall  put  on  im- 
mortality ;  that  death  shall  be  swallowed  up  in  vic- 
tory !  Or,  Christian,  do  cares  and  sorrows  press 
as  you  journey  through  life,  so  that  the  songs  of 
Zion  are  unsung,  while  your  harp  hangs  upon  the 
willows  ?  Does  refuge  seem  to  fail,  and  all  look 
dark  around  ?  "  Be  not  faithless  but  believing." 
Now  is  your  time  to  trust.     Faith  must  have  that 


GRACE    GIVEN    TO    BE    USED.  167 

which  is  unseen  upon  which  to  build  its  reliance. 
It  grows  and  lives  upon  desertion,  trial,  and  need. 
Then  we  feel  its  reality — its  power.  It  is  in  cir- 
cumstances of  distress  that  the  Christian  clings  the 
closest  to  his  stronghold,  and  that  faith  pierces  the 
veil,  "  the  evidence  of  things  not  seen."  You  have 
trusted  and  been  delivered,  wherefore,  trust  now. 
Your  God  hath  helped  hitherto,  and  he  is  "  the 
same  yesterday,  to-day,  and  for  ever."  You  have 
the  ability  to  trust,  let  fear  be  banished.  All  shall 
be  well,  believe  it.  Exert  the  confidence  in  God 
which  he  has  given  you,  that  in  him  whatever  con- 
cerns you  is  safe.  "  Trust  in  him  at  all  times," 
henceforth,  and  for  ever. 

Or,  believer,  are  you  abased  ?  Can  you  sensi- 
bly feel  humiliation  ?  Do  you  see  your  vileness, 
your  sinfulness,  your  emptiness,  your  nothingness  ? 
Do  you  "  know  that  in  you,  that  is  in  your  flesh, 
dwelleth  no  good  thing  ?"  This,  too,  is  a  gift,  be- 
stowed in  various  degrees  upon  the  children  of 
God,  but  whatever  be  its  extent,  it  is  given  that  it 
may  be  cultivated.  Make,  therefore,  the  most  of 
this  precious  knowledge,  for  it  is  no  false  appre- 
hension of  unworthiness  that  you  experience,  it  is 
but  the  knowledge  of  the  truth,  and  it  is  a  know- 
ledge of  which  the  mere  professor  is  destitute. 
The  discovery  is  highly  to  be  prized,  for  it  leads  a 
lost  soul  to  embrace  a  free  salvation  ;  it  leads  them 
who  have  nothing,  to  accept  of  imperishable  riches, 


168  GRACE    GIVEN    TO    BE    USED. 

and  to  cleave  to  the  sufficiency  of  Him  who  hath 
all  things.  Are  you,  then,  emptied  of  self-exalting 
thoughts,  humbled,  laid  prostrate,  and  very  low  ? 
Seek  not  to  rise, — lie  thus  abject, — if  it  be  possi- 
ble, lie  lower  still.  Glory  in  your  infirmities,  that 
the  power  of  Christ  may  rest  upon  you.  Rejoice 
in  his  fulness.  Becontent  with  your  poverty,  that 
the  praise  of  the  glory  of  Christ's  grace  may  be 
more  abundant.  Strive  to  grow  in  deeper  con- 
sciousness of  your  guilt,  and  to  improve  the  gift 
of  a  broken  and  contrite  spirit  which  you  have  re- 
ceived. 

Or,  disciple  of  Jesus,  have  you  learned  to  pray  ? 
Is  the  ability  given  you  to  lift  up  your  heart  to 
God  ?  Can  you  commune  with  God  "  as  a  man 
speaketh  unto  his  friend  ?"  Are  your  secret 
thoughts  laid  open,  are  your  sins  and  your  sorrows 
spread  before  God  ?  Are  your  desires  confided, 
are  your  cares  intrusted  to  this  Almighty,  this  un- 
failing Friend  ?  By  nature,  you  had  lost  commu- 
nion with  God ;  have  you  found  it  by  grace  ?  You 
had  no  power  when  unrenewed  to  come  into  his 
presence,  you  were  alienated  from  him,  you  could 
not  reach  his  throne.  Whence,  then,  proceed 
these  strong  cryings  and  groans  that  pierce  the 
heavens, — whence  these  heart-felt  aspirations  that 
enter  in  within  the  veil  ?  They  come  from  God 
and  lead  to  God.  They  are  bestowed  upon  the 
little  flock  for  whom  Christ  died.     They  are  not 


GRACE    GIVEN    TO    BE    USED.  169 

the  natural  breathings  of  the  heart  of  unrenewed 
man. 

It  is  the  soul  that  prayeth,  the  body  profiteth 
nothing.  Prayer  consisteth  not  in  the  bended  knee 
or  in  words,  but  in  the  intensity  of- the  desire  for 
that  for  which  we  pray.  And  can  you,  Christian, 
earnestly  desire  and  entreat  for  the  best  gifts  ? 
This  is  of  the  fruit  of  the  Spirit ;  this  is  of  the 
water  of  life,  which  rises  to  the  height  whence  it 
sprung.  And,  having  the  power  to  pray,  Oh  !  use 
it  freely.  "  Pray  without  ceasing, — pray  every 
where, — continue  instant  in  prayer,  give  yourself 
continually  to  prayer,  praying  always  with  all 
prayer  and  supplication  in  the  Spirit."  Be  thank- 
ful that  a  gift,  which  is  the  breath,  the  nutriment 
of  the  soul,  is  imparted  to  you,  and  let  it  not  lan- 
guish for  want  of  use.  Amidst  the  ordinary  busi- 
ness of  life,  and  when  the  turmoil,  and  care,  and 
varied  and  multiplied  avocations  of  the  world  press, 
still  pray.  Let  not  the  power  to  lift  up  the  heart 
in  ardent  supplication  be  given  you,  without  the 
constant  ascension  of  the  heart  being  your  un- 
wearied and  blissful  endeavour.  There  is  no  lack 
of  matter  for  prayer.  In  every  thing, — -for  every 
thing  that  you  can  conscientiously  desire,  pray. 
Dwell,  as  it  were,  in  the  presence  of  the  Eternal. 
Let  not  prayer  be  your  strange  work,  confined  to 
times  and  seasons,  but  let  God  be  your  strong 
habitation,  whereunto  you  continually  resort. 

15 


170  GRACE    GIVEN    TO    BE    USED. 

Or,  believing  soul,  you  can  praise.  You  have 
learned  to  adore  Him,  the  infinitude  of  whose  ex- 
cellence exceedeth  search.  You  can  see  excellency 
in  the  Supreme.  You  can  view,  although  afar  off, 
and  very  dimly,  beauty  in  the  fountain  of  all  per- 
fection, and  your  spirit  rises  in  adoration,  and  your 
lips  utter  praise.  You  are  compelled  to  extol,  for 
praise  is  the  language  of  your  soul.  It  is  your 
delight  to  break  forth  in  fervent  devotion.  But  a 
glimpse  of  what  God  is  constrains  you  to  praise  ;— 
you  cannot  but  praise.  Can  the  incomparable  ful- 
ness, the  clustered  glories  of  infinitude,  be  appre- 
hended in  any  measure  by  the  Christian  without 
praise  ?  He  who  has  learned,  however  inadequate- 
ly, to  prize  them,  is  necessitated  to  adore,  is  com- 
pelled to  magnify.  The  purer  air  of  the  celestial 
regions  induces  praise  ;  the  believer  catches,  as  it 
were,  a  zephyr  from  the  element  -of  heaven,  and, 
with  sympathetic  but  feeble  accents,  unites  with 
the  triumphant  chorus  of  glorified  spirits,  who  cease 
not  to  shout,  "  Holy,  holy,  holy,  is  the  Lord  of 
hosts  ;  the  whole  earth  is  full  of  his  glory."  And, 
although  unable  to  reach  the  purity  and  the  strength 
of  their  ecstatic  worship,  when  thus  engaged,  an 
unity  of  soul  is  felt  with  all  the  excellence  of  the 
creation. 

But  praises  no  less  fervent  burst  from  your  heart, 
when  you  remember  what  God  hath  done  for  you. 
The  redemption  of  Christ  calls  forth  your  praise, 


GRACE    GIVEN    TO    BE    USED.  171 

for  you  know  that  without  it  you  were  lost.  You 
believe  that  His  sufferings  were  not  only  to  spare 
yours,  but  to  change  unending  wailing  and  woe, 
into  eternal  hosannahs  and  joyfulness,  and  praise  is 
your  willing  tribute  for  blessings  thus  unspeakably 
great,  thus  expensively  obtained.  When,  by  the 
Spirit's  influence,  you  are  enabled  to  feel  that  Christ 
truly  suffered ;  that  soul  and  body  were  agonized 
to  the  utmost ;  that  the  wrath  of  God  rested  upor 
Him,  that  it  might  not  rest  upon  you,  to  free  you 
from  Satan's  curse  and  Satan's  sway  ;  thanksgiving 
and  praise  spontaneously  flow ;  you  cry  out  "  my 
soul  doth  magnify  the  Lord,  and  my  spirit  hath  re- 
joiced in  God  my  Saviour.  He  that  is  mighty 
hath  done  great  things.  Thanks  be  unto  God  for 
his  unspeakable  gift." 

Thus,  Christian,  to  praise,  the  spirit  of  praise  is 
given  you;  and  with  it  the  power  to  breathe  the 
atmosphere  of  heaven.  Inhale  a  full  draught  of 
the  salubrious  air.  Learn  the  language  of  that  bet- 
ter country  to  which  you  are  hastening  ;  stiive 
to  speak  it  more  unhesitatingly,  more  fluently. 
Abound  in  thanksgiving  through  the  power  of  the 
Holy  Ghost.  "  Offer  the  sacrifice  of  praise  to  God 
continually,  that  is,  the  fruit  of  your  lips,  giving 
thanks  to  his  name."  "  Bless  the  Lord  at  all  times, 
let  his  praise  be  continually  in  your  mouth." 

Or,  believer  in  Jesus,  is  patient  endurance  given 
you  ?     Is  there  some  burden  that  heavily  presses, 


172  GRACE    GIVEN    TO    BE    USED. 

which  you  carry  without  murmuring,  which  you 
bear  without  repining  ?  You  feel  the  load,  you 
must  feel  it ;  stoical  insensibility  is  not  derived 
from  Christianity.  But  with  the  sensation  of 
weight,  of  oppression,  is  the  spirit  of  entire  resig- 
nation, or  even  of  acquiescence,  yours?  Can  you 
say,  when  suffering  greatly,  or  when  suffering  at 
all,  "  Thy  will  be  done  on  earth  as  it  is  in  heaven  ?" 
Is  God's  will,  whatever  that  be,  your  will  ?  There 
is  no  grace  more  evidently  a  spiritual  gift  than  this. 
Not  one-  atom  of  satisfaction  in  the  will  of  God, 
when  it  is  distasteful  to  us,  ever  proceeded  from  the 
natural  heart  of  fallen  man.  Resignation  is  quite 
opposed  to  our  inclinations  and  natural  feelings. 
It  arises  only  from  spiritual  life.  One  will  per- 
vades heaven,  and  that  will  is  God's  ;  and  when 
God's  will,  be  it  what  it  may,  is  desired  on  earth, 
the  desire  is  of  heavenly  origin,  and  its  implanta- 
tion and  its  growth  proceed  from  divine  influence. 
But,  possibly,  my  Christian  friend,  you  may  be 
ready  to  say  that  you  have  not  this  desire,  that 
when  God  inflicts  suffering  you  bear  it  only  because 
you  must.  You  have  no  feelings  of  acquiescence, 
of  willingness  to  carry  the  burden,  the  utmost  you 
can  do  is  to  be  resigned ;  and  when  you  feel  the 
pressure  you  incessantly  and  importunately  cry  for 
relief.  Thus  it  may  be,  for  never  let  it  be  forgot- 
ten, what  is  reiterated  in  this  chapter,  that  all  the 
graces  of  the  Spirit  are  gifts,  and  gifts  are  not  ne 


GRACE    GIVEN    TO    BE    USED.  173 

cessarily  ours,  they  depend  on  the  pleasure  of  the 
donor.  This  grace  may  be  only  in  embryo,  and 
scarcely  perceptible  ;  and  the  trials  you  deplore 
may  "be  sent  to  strengthen  it.  Yet  if  you  think 
you  have  it  not,  pray  for  it.  The  cry  for  relief  is 
not  forbidden  ;  but  let  the  cry  for  patient  endurance 
accompany  it.  You  may  pray  for  strength  to  bear 
suffering,  or  for  its  removal,  but  the  choice  of  the 
alternative  should  not  be  yours ;  you  must  rest 
satisfied  with  the  Divine  will. 

But  is  the  grace  patiently  to  endure  given  ?  Have 
you  received  it  ?  Stint  not  then  its  exercise ; 
God's  glory  is  concerned  in  its  use.  Prove  to  all 
around  you,  that  a  suffering  saint  has  sources  of 
consolation  of  which  the  world  knows  not.  Let 
tranquillity  mark  your  demeanour  ;  let  a  step  higher 
still  be  your  aim,  even  thanksgiving.  Have  you 
not  yet  enough  to  call  forth  praise,  abundant  praise  ? 
Are  not  all  things  that  shall  conduce  to  your  real 
interest  bestowed  upon  you  while  the  redemption 
of  Christ  is  yours,  and  the  spirit  of  holiness  is 
yours,  and  the  heavenly  inheritance  yours  ?  Oh  ! 
then,  be  patient  under  momentary  suffering.  The 
overwhelming  and  eternal  good,  which  shall  swal- 
low up  the  short-lived  and  temporary  evil,  ap- 
proaches. It  may  seem  to  advance  slowly,  but, 
nevertheless,  it  comes  surely,  and  the  weight  of 
earth's  sorrows  shall  be  forgotten  in  the  weight  of 
heaven's  joy. 

*  15* 


174  GRACE    GIVEN    TO    BE    USED. 

But  to  you,  believer,  a  sphere  of  extensive  and 
laborious  exertion  may  be  allotted.  To  work  zeal 
ously,  prominently,  unweariedly,  may  be  the  pro- 
vince your  God  hath  chosen  for  you.  Your  mind 
may  teem  with  plans  for  the  propagation  of  the 
truth ;  and  your  days  and  years  may  be  too  few  to 
accomplish  all  your  heart  would  desire,  and  all  in 
which  your  hands  engage.  You  are  at  your  post 
"in  season  and  out  of  season,  in  weariness  and 
watchings  often,  in  labours  more  abundant."  You 
find  the  wilderness  of  this  earth  overspread  with 
thorns,  and  little  ground  cultivated  ;  and  while  your 
arm  retains  its  energy,  and  power  from  on  High  is 
given,  you  will  do  wThat  in  you  lies,  that  in  some 
spot  at  least,  to  which  you  have  access,  "  the  de- 
sert may  rejoice  and  blossom  as  the  rose,  and  that 
an  highway  may  be  there, — the  way  of  holiness." 
Hail !  beloved  of  the  Lord ;  you  are  a  fellow- 
worker  with  God.  Think  not  your  duties  too  ar- 
duous, for  rest  is  nigh.  "  Neglect  not  the  gift  that 
is  in  thee  :"  work  on,  "  bear  the  burden  and  heat 
of  the  day,"  for  "  the  sleep  of  a  labouring  man  is 
sweet."  "  God  is  not  unrighteous  to  forget  your 
work  and  labour  of  love  which  you  have  showed 
towards  his  name."  If  in  the  ministry,  "<lo  the 
work  of  an  evangelist,  make  full  proof  of  thy  min 
istry.  And  henceforth  there  is  laid  up  for  you  a 
crown  of  righteousness,  which  the  Lord  the  right 
eous  judge  shall  give  you." 


GRACE    GIVEN    TO    BE    USED.  175 

But  again,  Christian,  are  you  more  especially 
called  to  encounter  that  conflict  with  sin  and  Satan, 
which  has  been  noticed  in  a  preceding  chapter,  and 
in  which  all  Christ's  disciples  more  or  less  engage  ? 
Do  the  fiery  darts  of  the  wicked  one  seem  peculi- 
arly levelled  at  you  ?  Is  the  conflict  between  what 
you  would  be  and  what  you  are,  fierce  ?  Are  you 
often  well-nigh  defeated — at  times,  peradventure, 
overcome  ?  Yet  still  do  you  fight,  and  feel  that 
you  cannot  yield,  that  defeat  is  worse  than  death  ? 
Let  the  recollection,  that  to  maintain  this  warfare 
strength  is  given  you,  be  well  impressed  upon  your 
heart.  Your  province  is,  to  contend  and  conquer ; 
wherefore,  means  of  defence  are  bestowed  upon 
you.  You  cannot  fight  without  weapons  ;  and  you 
have  none  until  they  are  put  into  your  hands.  Your 
single  arm  would  soon  have  been  unnerved  and  the 
battle  would  long  since  have  been  lost,  had  you 
alone  been  engaged  in  it.  No  contest  in  your  own 
strength  is  possible  ;  instruments  of  resistance  are 
furnished  you,  and  your  arms  are  made  strong  by 
the  hands  of  the  mighty  God  of  Jacob.  You  have 
no  power  to  subdue  this  great  company ;  yet  the 
victory  is  yours,  for  it  is  "  God  that  girdeth  thee 
with  strength ;"  "  He  teacheth  your  hands  to  war, 
and  your  fingers  to  fight ;"  and  it  is  "  He  that  giveth 
salvation  from  the  hurtful  sword."  "Wherefore, 
meet  your  assailants  undauntedly.  You  are  not 
placed  in  the  front  of  the  battle  by  chance  ;     God 


176  GRACE    GIVEN    TO    BE    USED. 

designs  this  service  for  you ;  it  is  the  post  of  hon 
our.  The  Captain  of  your  salvation  has  confidence 
in  your  valour.  He  intends  that  the  armour  he 
hath  given  you  shall  be  used ;  that  his  gifts  and  his 
graces  shall  not  lie  dormant.  Open  your  eyes  and 
see,  although  an  host  compasseth  the  city,  they  that 
be  with  you  are  more  than  they  that  be  with  them. 
You  have  received  the  Spirit ;  employ  his  gifts  "  to 
the  praise  of  the  glory  of  his  grace." 

Thus,  believer  in  Jesus,  it  appears,  that  by 
nature  you  are  destitute  of  every  thing,  in  t-mpei 
and  disposition,  that  is  truly  good.  WhaU,  er  dis- 
tinguishes you  from  the  wretched  and  the  worldly, 
you  have  received,  and  nothing  is  given  you  to  lie 
hidden  and  unemployed,  but  every  gift  is  designed 
to  be  used.  It  becomes,  therefore,  an  imperative  du- 
ty, that  each  disciple  of  Christ  should  seriously  in- 
quire, what  spiritual  graces  are  in  any  degree  be- 
stowed upon  him — and  what  use  he  is  making  of 
gifts  so  precious  ?  We  are  no  Christians,  unless 
we  enjoy  in  some  measure  the  Spirit's  influence. 
There  are,  we  read,  diversities  of  operations.  To 
one  is  given  the  word  of  wisdom  ;  to  another  the 
word  of  knowledge ;  to  another  faith.  But  "  all 
these  worketh  that  one  and  the  self-same  Spirit, 
dividing  to  every  man  severally,  as  he  will."  Yet, 
whatever  be  the  gifts,  let  them  appear ;  let  them 
shine  with  a  lustre  that  marks  their  heavenly  origin. 
Be  solicitous  that  the  ends  for  which  they  were 


GRACE    GIVEN    TO    BE    USED.  177 

bestowed  should  be  accomplished,  in  the  beauty  of 
God's  work  being  conspicuous  where  desolation 
and  ruin  dwelt,  and  in  the  blessing  to  your  own 
soul,  which  they  are  calculated  to  impart,  being 
more  and  more  abundant.  It  is  surely  not  arrog- 
ance to  affirm,  that  satisfaction  must  arise  to  God 
himself,  when  the  graces  of  his  Spirit  grow  in  his 
people,  and  when  they  employ  to  good  account  his 
gifts.  If  we  bestow  upon  others  what  costs  us 
much,  we  feel  hurt  that  they  cast  it  away  as  use- 
less, and  gratified  if  they  appreciate  its  value,  and 
use  it  frequently.  And  surely  the  gift  of  the  Holy 
Spirit  is  unspeakably  valuable,  when  there  was  but 
one  adequate  price — Immanuel's  blood ;  and  that 
high  price  God  did  not  deem  too  extravagant  to 
purchase  it.  And  shall  we  who  receive  it  freely 
not  take  the  full  benefit  of  the  inestimable  boon,  by 
letting  one  end,  for  which  it  is  given,  be  completely 
accomplished,  in  exhibiting  the  fruits  of  the  Spirit 
in  all  their  plenitude  and  beauty ;  by  seeking  to 
display  the  mind  of  the  Lord  to  men  in  the  exhibi- 
tion of  his  graces.  To  you,  Christians,  is  com- 
mitted this  gift  of  great  price,  not  only  to  enrich 
yourselves,  but  to  redound  to  the  glory  of  God ; 
and  this  you  can  only  effect  by  the  conspicuous 
development  of  the  Christian  character.  Yet  be 
not  discouraged,  if  your  attainments  are  hitherto 
small.  Grace,  like  the  grain,  grows ;  and  that 
which  is  but  as  the  seed  in  you,  may  soon  ripen 


178  GRACE    GIVEN    TO    BE    USED. 

into  the  full  corn  in  ear.*  But  in  whatever  degree 
you  possess  it,  be  it  less  or  more,  use  it ;  exhibit 
its  fruit,  which,  as  derived  from  God,  will  be  lovely- 
even  in  its  immature  state,  and  when  more  advanc- 
ed, luxuriant  and  beautiful.  God  never  works  with 
the  view  to  have  his  work  concealed  ;  and  we  fall 
in  most  with  the  design  of  the  Spirit  in  the  great 
work  of  renovating  the  human  soul,  when  we  let 
nothing  that  he  hath  wrought  in  us  sleep,  but  make 
the  full  use  of  the  gifts  he  bestows.  Thus  shall 
we  evince  to  the  world,  that  "  God  hath  chosen  us 
to  salvation,  through  sanctification  of  the  Spirit, 
and  belief  of  the  truth." 

*  Mark  iv.  28. 


CHAPTER  XL 

THE  CITIZENS  OF  HEAVEN. 


Natives  of  different  Worlds — Trials  of  Christians  in  this  World,  as  citizens 
of  Heaven:  accounted  fools  or  madmen;  small  number  of  their  country- 
men ;  dread  of  contamination — These  Trials  prove  their  descent — Consola- 
tory to  know  that  their  heavenly  origin  must  remain — Impossible  altogether 
to  efface  the  identity  of  countrymen— The  Spirit's  seal  equally  uneffacea- 
blc — Inquietudes  in  the  way  to  Heaven  may  well  be  borne — Evidence  of 
citizenship  in  love  of  countrymen. 


"  As  men  who  long  in  prison  dwell, 
With  lamps  that  glimmer  round  their  cell, 
Whene'er  their  suff'ring  years  are  run, 
Spring  forth  to  greet  the  glitt'ring  sun : — 
Such  joy,  tho'  far  transcending  sense, 
Have  pious  bouIs  at  parting  hence : 
On  earth,  and  in  the  body  plac'd 
A  few  and  evil  years  they  waste  ; 
But  whfn  their  chains  are  cast  aside, 
See  the  bright  scene  unfolding  wide, 
Clap  the  glad  wing,  and  tow'r  away, 
And  mingle  with  the  blaze  of  day." 

From  the  cursory  view  that  has  been  taken,  in 
the  beginning  of  this  volume,  of  the  maxims,  man- 
ners, and  feelings  of  the  worldly,  contrasted  with 
what  has  been  latterly  stated,  of  the  capacities, 
desires,  and  affections  of  the  sincerely  religious,  it 
will  appear,  that  these  two  classes  are  equally  dis 


180  THE    CITIZENS    OF    HEAVEN. 

tinguishable  as  if  they  were  natives  of  separate 
worlds ;  what  is  the  most  satisfactory  and  desira- 
ble to  the  one,  being  quite  the  reverse  to  the  other ; 
and  what  is  possible  to  the  latter  class,  what  those 
belonging  to  it  are  capable  of,  and  formed  for, 
being  quite  impossible,  while  they  remain  un- 
changed, to  the  former.  It  is  true,  that  the  nature 
of  both  these  classes  was  originally  the  same ;  that 
their  tendencies  and  dispositions  were  alike ;  and 
that,  remaining  unaltered,  their  pleasures  and  pur- 
suits would  have  been  similar.  But  the  disciples 
of  Christ  have  been  made  citizens  of  another  and 
a  better  country ;  and,  consequently,  an  entire  re- 
novation in  the  whole  man  has  been  effected,  by 
which  they  are  become  new  creatures,  born  again 
from  above,  and  incapable  of  deriving  their  highest 
gratification  from  earth.  Their  grand  distinctive 
property,  in  truth,  is,  that  they  belong  to  another 
world.  They  feel  themselves,  while  here,  but  as 
strangers  and  sojourners ;  and  their  hopes,  desires, 
and  expectations,  centre  in  a  future  state.  They 
are  as  residents  in  a  foreign  land,  where  the  cus- 
toms, ideas  and  practices  of  the  country  are  not 
congenial  to  them  ;  and  where  they  must  likewise 
expect  reproach  and  dislike,  in  as  far  as  they  do 
not  conform  to  the  general  usages. 

In  this  chapter,  it  is  our  intention  to  consider 
the  Christian  as  the  citizen  of  heaven,  and  in  this 
light  to  inquire  what  trials  and  what  consolations 


THE    CITIZENS    OF    HEAVEN.  181 

he  may  anticipate    as   he   journeys    through  this 
earth. 

And,  first,  it  is  a  trial  to  be  accounted  a  fool  or 
a  madman  ;  and  this  the  Christian  must  anticipate, 
if  his  eyes  are  fixed  on  imperishable  blessedness, 
and  closed  on  surrounding  vanities.*  We  readily 
admit,  that  what  is  unknown  and  unfelt  is  difficult 
to  be  conceived  by  us  ;  and  the  world's  votaries, 
having  no  knowledge  of  what  they  deem  good,  but 
that  which  is  derived  from  earth,  when  they  see 
an  influence  obtained  over  believers,  strong  as  is 
their  conviction  of  heaven's  treasure,  the  inference 
the  worldly  universally  draw  is,  that  a  preposses- 
sion, to  them  thus  marvellous,  must  originate  in 
folly, — that  nothing  but  weakness  in  intellect,  and: 
fanaticism  in  idea,  could  generate  a  conduct  so  un- 
accountable. Thus  they  frequently  brand  with 
every  epithet  that  denotes  imbecility  of  mind,  the 
disciple  of  Jesus. 

There  is  something  revolting  to  man  in  derision 
and  scorn  ;  and  more  especially  so  when  conscious 
that  it  is  undeserved.  But  the  world's  mockery 
must  be  borne,  in  consequence  of  the  Christian 
having  senses  given  him  to  discern  what  is-  hidden 
from  the  men  of  it.  While  his  eye  pierces  the 
veil  that  conceals  the  land  of  light,  and  looks  on 
wonders   that   are  undiscoverable  to  others,  is  it 

*  Hos.  ix.  7. 
16 


182  THE    CITIZENS    OF    HEAVEN. 

strange  that  they  smile  at  what  appears  to  thesa 
his  delusion  ?  This,  then,  is  a  trial  the  citizens  of 
heaven  endure ;  and  well  they  may, — the  benefit 
of  their  change  of  state  is  theirs,  and  the  reality 
of  folly  rests  with  those  who,  from  ignorance,  affix 
the  title  of  fool  to  believers,  insensible  that,  in 
truth,  they  themselves  merit  it. 

Another  trial  to  the  citizen  of  heaven,  in  this 
foreign  land,  is  the  small  number  of  his  country- 
men that  inhabit  it.  Amidst  the  multiplicity  of  all 
denominations  of  men  who  are  around  him,  or  with 
whom  he  holds  converse,  there  are  but  a  few  in 
whose  countenances  or  demeanour  he  can  trace 
the  bonds  of  country.  These  are  but  as  speckled 
birds, — sufficiently  rare  to  remind  him  of  his  dis- 
tance from  home,  and  his  foreign  extraction.  It 
is  trying  to  leave  one  class  of  society  and  enter 
another,  and  still  not  listen  to  accents  that  are  fa- 
miliar, or  meet  with  congenial  modes  of  thinking 
and  acting, — to  find  in  none  a  friendly  aspect,  or  a 
kindly  smile.  Yet  so  it  often  is  with  the  Chris- 
tian. Pretension  to  religion  is  indeed  common, 
and  it  is  considered  a  lack  of  charity  to  doubt  its 
truth;  but  it  is  the  discriminating  marks  of  coun- 
trymen the  Christian  longs  to  see,  but  fails  to  dis- 
cern. The  manners,  appearances,  language,  fea- 
tures, habits,  and  enjoyments  of  the  people  with 
whom  he  dwells,  are  diversified ;  but  they  are  not 
those  of  the  citizens  of  his  home  !     It  matters  not 


THE    CITIZENS    OF    HEAVEN.  183 

from  what  country  they  claim  descent,  so  long  as 
they  bear  no  resemblance  to  the  inhabitants  of  his. 
The  claim  of  lineage  is  of  no  avail,  it  is  the  evi- 
dence of  affinity  that  affords  solace  and  comfort  to 
the  traveller,  when  he  meets  with  those  whose 
demeanour  can  stand  this  test  in  a  foreign  clime. 
And  these  high-sounding  pretenders  to  religion  are 
in  name  Christians,  but  not  in  heart  or  in  practice. 
Thus  the  believer  often  feels  himself  solitary  and 
deserted  in  the  world,  and  looks  in  vain  for  that 
sympathy  and  fellowship  which  refreshes  and 
cheers. 

But  there  is  a  trial  that  is  more  personal,  which 
is  experienced  by  the  citizens  of  heaven,  as  they 
journey  through  this  earth,  which  frequently 
wounds  their  spirits,  and  mars  their  comfort, — we 
allude  to  the  dread  they  may  entertain  of  being 
contaminated,  in  temper  or  habits,  by  the  prac- 
tices and  manners  of  the  many  around  them ;  or 
to  the  effects  which  intercourse  with  such  may 
actually  have  produced.  Wherein  the  danger  lies, 
and  how  unwarily  Christians  may  be  beguiled  into 
compliances  at  variance  with  the  standard  of  duty, 
and  unworthy  of  their  high  destiny,  has  been 
shown  in  our  first  chapters.  Yet,  that  it  is  so* 
must  ever  be  productive,  in  the  mind  of  a  believer, 
of  self-inspection  and  self-reproach.  He  sighs  to 
find  an  ally,  Sin,  within  his  breast,  which  inclines 
him  to  think  lightly  of  deviations  from  the  unerring 


184  THE    CITIZENS    OF    HEAVEN. 

rule  his  God  hath  given  him ;  and  often  he  detects 
conformity  to  the  world  where,  perhaps,  he  lease 
imagined  he  had  been  guilty  of  it.  Foreigners  in- 
variably imbibe  somewhat  of  the  ideas  and  fashions 
of  the  land  in  which  they  sojourn,  even  when  the 
practices  of  their  own  country  are  infinitely  pre- 
ferable. It  rarely  happens  that  men  receive  no 
impression  from  surrounding  objects ;  so  the  pre- 
cept,— "  Be  not  conformed  to  this  world,  but  be 
ye  transformed,  by  the  renewing  of  your  mind,"  is 
of  difficult  attainment.  And  when,  in  any  degree, 
worldliness  in  heart  or  life  has  crept  upon  the 
Christian,  a  cloud  must,  for  the  time,  rest  upon  his 
spirit ;  for  the  ties  of  gratitude  to  his  King,  and  of 
attachment  to  the  laws  of  his  country,  are  broken, 
and  the  cry  is  wrung  from  them, — "  Oh  !  that  my 
ways  were  directed  to  keep  thy  statutes  !"  It  is, 
however  comforting  to  know,  that,  placed  in  these 
ensnaring  circumstances,  the  traveller  to  Zion  pos- 
sesses security  that  he  shall  not  be  permitted  long 
to  stray  from  the  right  path.  The  intercession  of 
Christ,  and  the  power  of  God,  are  his  defence ; 
and  his  fears  may  be  hushed  while  the  words  of 
the  Saviour  remain  indelibly  written,  "  I  pray  not 
«that  thou  shouldest  take  them  out  of  the  world,  but 
that  thou  shouldest  keep  them  from  the  evil.  Holy 
Father,  keep,  through  thine  own  name,  those 
whom  thou  hast  given  me,  that  they  may  be  one, 
as  we  are." 


THE    CITIZENS    OF    HEAVEN.  185 

That  these  are  trials  is,  however,  undeniable ; 
and  it  is  likewise  certain,  that  every  traveller  to- 
wards Zion  must  expect,  in  a  greater  or  less  degree, 
to  meet  with  them.  Have  we,  then,  known  any- 
thing of  their  bitterness  ?  Are  we  treated  with 
contempt  for  the  name  of  Jesus  ?  Are  we  mourn- 
ing for  the  general  depravity,  and  grieved  that  so 
few  with  whom  we  converse  bear  testimony,  by 
their  tempers  and  lives,  that  they  are  numbered 
among  Christ's  genuine  disciples  ?  And  are  we 
jealous  of  ourselves,  dreading  to  be  enslaved  by 
the  opinions  and  customs  of  a  world  lying  in  wick- 
edness, and  sincerely  afflicted  if  conscious  that  we 
have  deviated,  in  practice,  from  the  unerring  rule 
of  God's  holy  law  ?  If  this  be  our  experience  and 
character,  there  is  consolation  for  us  in  the  proof 
thus  afforded  that  we  are  citizens  of  heaven. 
Trials  such  as  these  are  the  badge  of  our  disciple- 
ship.  No  other  denomination  of  men  experience 
them, — none  but  Christ's  little  flock  can  feel  them. 
None  but  the  faithful  followers  of  the  Lamb  en- 
dure the  world's  scorn  for  their  adherence  to  his 
cause.  None  lament  that  darkness  is  around  them, 
but  those  who  have  seen  the  light.  Thus  there  is 
consolation  blended  with  the  trials  that,  as  citizens 
of  heaven,  the  people  of  God  sustain. 

But  not  only  may  this  people  find  consolation  in 
the  certainty  that  they  are  the  citizens  of  heaven, 
it  is  likewise  most  consolatory  to  know,  that  they 

16* 


186  THE    CITIZENS    OF   HEAVEN. 

ever  must  be  so, — that  it  is  an  impossibility  to  take 
from  them  their  heavenly  origin.  We  may  live 
for  a  time  distant  from  our  home,  and  alienated 
from  our  native  land,  but,  go  where  we  please,  oui 
birth-place  continues  the  same, — we  cannot  alter 
it.  We  have  been  born  there,  and  that  is  our 
country ;  our  absence  from  it  may  be  protracted, 
our  manners  may  even  be  corrupted  by  intercourse 
with  other  nations,  but  still  citizens  of  our  own 
country  we  must  remain  :  and  neither  we  ourselves 
nor  any  one  else  have  power  to  alter  our  descent 
from  this  line  of  ancestry.  We  are  of  this  stock, 
our  extraction  is  from  thence,  and  thus  it  shall  con- 
tinue to  be. 

Nor  is  it  possible  entirely  to  efface  the  identity 
of  countrymen.  We  always  mark  something,  in 
habit,  utterance,  or  idea,  that  reminds  us  of  the 
land  of  our  fathers.  Men  of  different  nations 
never  completely  assimilate  ;  nor  do  they  lose  their 
distinctive  features,  their  natural  preferences,  and 
their  national  peculiarities  ;  and  foreign  extraction 
may  easily  be  traced  in  all  who  come  from  remote 
districts. 

And  so  the  citizens  of  heaven.  Their  new 
birth,  being  an  act  of  the  Most  High,  cannot  be 
repealed.  "  Every  one  that  is  called  by  my  name, 
I  have  created  him  for  my  glory ;  I  have  formed 
him,  yea,  I  have  made  him."  They  have  "  passed, 
therefore,  from  death  unto  life."     They  inherit  a 


THE    CITIZENS    OF    HEAVEN.  187 

nature  which  is  imperishable  as  that  from  which  it 
.is  derived,  and  to  which  it  is  united, — even  the 
nature  of  God  himself.  They  have  been  born 
again  of  the  Spirit ;  and  that  which  is  born  of  the 
Spirit  is  spirit ;  not  like  matter,  liable  to  corruption 
and  decay,  but  indissoluble,  and  of  endless  exist- 
ence. Christ  gives  unto  them  eternal  life,  and 
they  shall  never  perish,  neither  shall  any  pluck 
them  out  of  his  hand.  And  heirs  of  the  inherit- 
ance of  the  saints  in  light  they  unalterably  remain, 
even  amidst  the  wreck  of  worlds. 

And  equally  ineffaceable  is  the  impress  of  that 
seal  which  the  Spirit  of  God  has  stamped  upon 
their  souls.  There  are  marks,  not  to  be  mistaken, 
which  the  children  of  God's  kingdom  bear,  remind- 
ing us  of  their  high  origin  and  exalted  destiny. 
There  are  peculiarities  of  language,  of  habit,  and 
of  idea,  that  never  forsake  them,  into  whatever  so- 
ciety they  may  be  thrown,  or  with  whomsoever 
they  may  associate.  They  have  preferences,  aver- 
sions, joys,  and  griefs,  that  are  distinguishing  ;  and, 
in  the  company  of  the  worldly,  their  foreign  ex- 
traction may,  without  difficulty,  be  discerned. 
Their  identity  is  visible  in  their  zeal  for  the  honour 
of  their  King,  and  their  scrupulous  endeavour  to 
keep  His  laws.  And  His  laws  they  do  keep,  al- 
though, in  an  unwary  moment,  and  to  their  inex- 
pressible sorrow,  they  may  have  been  betrayed 
into  the  breach  of  any  of  them. 


188  THE    CITIZENS    OF    HEAVEN. 

If,  then,  the  kindred,  the  country,  the  origin,  of 
this  people,  be  abundantly  evident,  and  not  to  be 
mistaken ;  and  if  it  be  certain  that  they  not  only 
are,  but  ever  shall  remain,  citizens  of  the  heavenly 
state,  the  New  Jerusalem,  let  them  not  be  too 
deeply  affected  by  the  inquietudes  that  may  assail 
them,  or  the  inconveniences  they  may  meet  with 
by  the  way.  The  land  where  you  sojourn,  Chris- 
tian, or  through  which  you  must  pass,  as  you  jour- 
ney heavenward,  has  not  the  equable  temperament, 
or  the  salubrious  air,  of  the  climate  of  your  own 
country ;  and  your  health  may  partly  be  impaired, 
and  your  usefulness  impeded,  in  consequence ;  but 
you  are  on  the  road  that  leads  to  the  land  of  up- 
rightness ;  you  travel  onwards,  and  shall  not  great- 
ly suffer  ere  you  reach  your  home,  where  the 
atmosphere  is  healthful,  and  every  breath  pure. 
Or  you  are  grieved  that  you  meet  with  so  few  with 
whom  you  can  hold  fellowship, — who  are  of  one 
heart  and  of  one  soul, — whose  language  and  de- 
meanour prove  that  they  are  of  the  peculiar  people 
to  whom  you  are  united,  in  sympathy  and  affec- 
tion. You  rarely  meet  with  those  whose  habits 
and  sentiments  are  congenial ;  possibly  your  opin- 
ions, manners,  and  customs,  excite  the  scorn  and 
contempt  of  the  many  around  you ;  and  your  en 
deavours  to  do  them  good  are  repaid  only  by 
hatred.  It  matters  not;  cheerfully  bear  the  re- 
proach of  Jesus,  "  for  here  you  have  no  continuing 


THE    CITIZENS    OF    HEAVEN.  189 

city,  but  seek  one  to  come."  Your  countrymen 
may  be  distant,  but  they  are  numerous  and  united ; 
and  it  is  with  them  you  are  destined  to  dwell.  In 
your  Qwn  land,  union  and  sympathy  are  character- 
istic of  the  people  ;  and  what  is  deemed  contempti- 
ble in  your  present  abode,  is,  by  the  inhabitants  of 
Zion,  eminently  and  universally  prized.  "  Where- 
fore, gird  up  the  loins  of  your  mind,  be  sober,  and 
hope  to  the  end,  for  the  grace  that  is  to  be  brought 
unto  you  at  the  revelation  of  Jesus  Christ :  and  as 
he  which  hath  called  you  is  holy,  so  be  ye  holy  in 
all  manner  of  conversation."  Let  the  evidence  of 
your  citizenship  be  conspicuous.  Be  solicitous 
that  all  men  may  easily  discern  in  you  the  marks 
that  distinguish  the  citizens  of  heaven.  Prove 
that  your  claim  of  lineage  is  undoubted.  Let 
there  be  nothing  to  create  suspicion,  from  your 
carriage  or  behaviour,  that  you  are  of  other  de- 
scent, or  belong  to  another  nation.  Unequivocally 
show  your  subjugation  to  your  King,  and  glory  in 
the  qualities  that  note  your  countrymen.  "Follow 
after  righteousness,  godliness,  faith,  love,  patience, 
meekness."  "  Fight  the  good  light  of  faith,  and 
lay  hold  on  eternal  life." 

There  is  an  evidence  arising  out  of  the  remarks 
in  the  preceding  pages,  by  which  heaven's  citizens 
may  be  known,  and  it  is  a  very  decisive  test  by 
which  to  judge  whether  we  are  heirs  of  the  hea- 
venly   inheritance,    and    belong    to    that    better 


190  THE    CITIZENS    OF    HEAVEN. 

country, — the  regard  we  bear  for  the  people  of  it. 
There  is  no  surer  sign  that  we  have  partaken  of 
the  grace  of  life,  and  are  fellow-citizens  of  the 
saints,  than  if  we  delight  in  those  whose  hearts  and 
conversation  are  in  heaven.  And  if  we  can  truly 
say  that,  in  proportion  to  the  proof  they  give,  that 
the  Spirit  of  God  dwells  in  them,  is  the  respect 
and  love  we  entertain  for  God's  people,  no  further 
testimony  is  requisite  to  evidence  that  we  are  of 
the  same  house  and  lineage.  It  is  not  the  love  of 
the  saints  that  proves  it,  for  this  may  exist  irres- 
pective of  their  national  peculiarities,  but  it  is  the 
love  of  that  in  them  that  marks  the  character  of 
God's  children ;  it  is  the  attractivenesss — the 
lustre — which  the  grace  of  God  throws  around  the 
character,  discerned ;  it  is  the  charm  of  piety, 
felt. 

Are  you,  then,  believing  soul,  susceptible  of 
this  charm  ?  Is  there  in  your  view  no  sight  so 
lovely  as  the  irradiation  of  the  countenance  pro- 
duced by  grace  ?  and  the  beauty,  the  consistency, 
and  usefulness,  of  his  life  in  whom  God's  Spirit 
dwells  ?  If,  for  this  cause,  and  proportionably  as 
you  find  it,  you  love  Christians,  there  remains  no 
uncertainty  as  to  your  own  state, — you  are  a  Chris- 
tian. No  man  loves  that  in  others  to  which  he  is 
himself  peculiarly  opposed ;  and  all  mankind  are 
inimical  to  the  religion  of  the  Bible,  excepting 
Christ's  little  flock.     Where  wealth,  honour,  talent, 


THE    CITIZENS   f)F    HEAVEN.  191 

learning,  are  not  valued,  when  put  in  comparison 
with  the  intrinsic  worth  which  grace  imparts,  it  is 
an  unequivocal  sign  that  there  are  sympathetic 
emotions  within.  To  love  Christians  because  we 
see  in  them  qualities  that  are  peculiarly  Christian, 
marks  the  indwelling  of  the  Spirit.  And  to  have 
learned  to  discern,  and  to  prize  His  glorious  work 
in  others,  proves  a  work  of  grace  begun  in  us. 
The  Scriptures  are  so  explicit,  and  so  conclusive 
upon  this  point,  that  no  clearer  testimony  can  be 
given  than  to  quote  from  them.  "  We  know  that 
we  have  passed  from  death  unto  life,"  said  St.  John, 
"  because  we  love  the  brethren."  "  By  this  shall 
all  men  know  that  ye  are  my  disciples,"  said  our 
Lord  himself,  "  if  ve  have  love  one  to  another  " 


CHAPTER  XII. 

GROVELLING  NATURE  OF  WORLDLINESS. 


The  people  of  God  and  the  worldly  may  know  to  which  class  they  belong- 
The  worldly  addressed-Reason  and  Immortality  distingmsh  man  from  the 
lutecreation-Both  profitless  to  the  **W^"2££Z 
-Not  from  reason  that  a  change  in  man  can  be  anncipated-Chnstianity 
testes  man  to  hisprimeval  dignity-That  we  prizeour  immortahty  a  ** 
totudge  of  onr  state-The  world  placed  in  the  balance  agamst  eternal  joy 
and  present  peace. 


"Op'ningthe  map  of  God's  extensive  plan, 
We  find  a  little  isle,  this  life  of  man. 
Eternity's  unknown  expanse  appears, 
Curling  around,  and  limiting  his  years. 
The  busy  race  examine  and  explore 
Each  creek  and  cavern  of  the  dangerous  shore; 
With  care  collect  what  in  their  eyes  excels, 
Some  shining  pebbles,  and  some  weeds  and  shells; 
Thus  laden,  dream  that  they  are  rich  and  great, 
And  happiest  he  that  groans  beneath  his  weight, 
The  waves  o'ertake  them  in  their  serious  play, 
And  every  hour  sweeps  multitudes  away ; 
They  shriek  and  sink,  survivors  start  aud  weep, 
Pursue  their  sport  and  follow  to  the  deep. 
A  few  forsake  the  throng ;  with  lifted  eyes 
Ask  wealth  of  heav'n,  and  gain  a  real  prize." 

As  it  is  easy  to  distinguish  the  subjects  of  God's 
kingdom  from  the  people  that  are  around  them  in 
the  world,  by  their  manners,  customs,  affections, 


GROVELLING    NATURE,    &C.  193 

and  feelings,  so  there  is  no  difficulty  in  distinguish- 
ing the  worldly  from  the  children  of  the  kingdom. 
There  is  no  resemblance,  no  similarity  between 
them.  Each  is  diverse  from  the  other.  What  the 
one  will  do,  the  other  will  not  do ;  what  the  one 
seeks  after,  the  other  despises  ;  what  the  one  loves, 
the  other  hates.  Now,  if  this  dissimilitude  be  so 
apparent,  both  classes  may  certainly  know  to  which 
of  them  they  themselves  belong,  by  the  distinctive 
properties  that  characterize  them.  A  child  of  God 
needs  not  distress  himself  with  fears  that  he  is  of 
the  world,  if  he  considers  what  it  is  that  interests, 
that  charms,  that  engrosses  his  heart.  Nor  needs 
a  worldly  character  dread  that  he  may  possibly  be- 
long to  God's  people,  when  he  recollects  what  con- 
cerns are  ever  uppermost  in  his  mind,  what  it  is 
that  occupies  his  thoughts  and  his  labours,  and  after 
which  he  unweariedly  pursues. 

Taking  it  then  for  granted  that  the  worldly  are 
sptisfied  that  they  are  of  this  class, — that  they  en- 
tertain no  doubt  upon  the  subject, — that  they  know 
and  acknowledge  that  they  are  of  the  people  de- 
nominated worldly  by  the  more  strictly  religious, 
we  shall,  in  conclusion,  address  a  few  words  to 
such,  whose  affections  rest  upon  earth,  and  who 
thence  derive  all  that  they  hope  to  enjoy. 

You  seek  satisfaction  in  the  things  of  time,  and 
in  the  good  a  present  world  affords  ;  but,  are  you 
thoroughly  convinced  that  you  would  be  satisfied 

17 


194  GROVELLING    NATURE 

if  you  could  embrace  all  that  you  desire,  and  pos 
sess  every  thing  here  that  you  are  solicitous  to  ob- 
tain ?  Is  there  certainty,  that  even  in  that  case, 
your  happiness  would  be  ensured  ?  Perhaps  you 
may  be  ready  to  reply  that  you  do  not  doubt  it. 
You  have  no  other  inclination,  and  the  bestowal  of 
what  you  covet  is  all  the  enjoyment  you  aspire 
after. 

Let,  then,  the  supposition  be  made,  that,  what- 
ever is  the  object  of  your  ambition,  be  it  wealth, 
honour,  or  pleasure, — these  combined, — or  what- 
ever it  may  be,  were,  to  an  unprecedented  extent, 
bestowed  upon  you,  and  that  the  blessing  was  never 
withheld  while  you  live.  Here  is  a  large  grant  of 
worldly  good,  possibly  larger  than  has  ever  fallen 
to  the  lot  of  man.  It  has  been  formerly  shown, 
that  these  things  are  not,  in  themselves,  calculated 
to  give  content,  but  upon  that  argument  we  shall 
not  here  insist,  nor  attempt  to  shake  your  convic- 
tion that  they  are  profitable  and  desirable  ;  you  be- 
lieve them  to  be  so,  and  seek  no  other.  Yet,  is 
there  nothing  that  is  calculated  to  awaken  distrust 
and  alarm  in  the  limitation  of  the  tenure  by  which 
all  that  springs  from  earth  is  held  ?  Contemplate 
the  boundary  line  that  terminates  your  joy  ^en 
at  their  utmost  extent ;  they  end  with  life  ;  not  one 
worldly  satisfaction  reaches  beyond  it.  And  can  it 
be  that  your  wishes  are  confined  to  these  perishing 
enjoyments  ?     Are  you  quite  satisfied  to  live  your 


OF    WORLDLINESS.  195 

little  day,  flutter  like  insects  in  the  sunshine,  and 
then  lose  your  all  ?  Will  happiness  so  sparingly 
dealt  out  suffice  during  an  eternal  existence  ?  Is 
there  nothing  distasteful  to  you  in  the  idea,  that  a 
termination  must  so  speedily  be  put  to  your  plea- 
sures,— that  they  die  at  the  longest  with  you  ? 
Perhaps  you  may  reply  that  it  is  not  so, — that  you 
would  willingly  extend  the  term  of  your  enjoyment 
if  you  could,  but,  as  you  know  no  joy  that  earth 
does  not  afford,  and  here  you  cannot  abide,  you 
submit  because  you  must ;  your  doom  is  fixed — 
/  you  cannot  alter  it.  Yet,  ere  you  abandon  hope, 
suffer  the  inquiry,  Is  it  possible  that  stable  bliss  can 
be  found  for  you  ?  Oh  !  dismiss  not  the  thought 
hastily  ;  give  it  the  serious  consideration  its  impor- 
tance demands.  Examine  carefully  and  impar- 
tially into  the  true  answer  of  questions  such  as 
these  :  "  Is  there  good  that  fleets  not  with  the  life 
of  man  ?  and  may  I  obtain  it  ? — Are  there  imperish- 
able riches  ?  and  may  I  possess  them  ?  God,  in 
his  Word,  affirms,  that  there  are  joys  which  de- 
pend upon,  and  emanate  from,  Himself,  which 
neither  cloy  nor  wither ;  that  there  are  treasures 
which  have  no  tendency  to  decay.  And  the  con- 
dition upon  which  they  are  bestowed, — 0  listen 
earthly  pilgrim  ! — is,  that  they  are  asked !  How- 
ever expensively  they  have  been  prepared,  they  are 
freely  given.  And,  is  there  not  folly  in  the  neg- 
lect of  this  boon  ?    And  is  there  not  wisdom  in  the 


196  GROVELLING    NATURE 

search  after  it  ?  Die,  O  worldling,  you  must,  to 
sublunary  joy ! — live,  you  may,  in  eternal  blessed- 
ness ! 

But,  hitherto,  we  have  taken  the  most  favourable 
view  of  earthly  enjoyments;  we  have  supposed 
them  large  as  they  can  be,  and  enduring  while  life 
lasts.  Have  you  found  them  thus  great,  thus  dura- 
ble, poor  deluded  votary  of  the  world  ?  Have  they 
never  palled  upon  your  taste,  and  the  sweet  be- 
come bitter  ?  Has  pleasure,  while  you  grasped  it, 
never  escaped  from  your  hold  ?  or,  the  more  you 
seemed  to  possess  it,  has  it  not  become  the  less  de- 
sirable ?  Have  you  never  said  of  life  itself,  "  I 
loathe  it !"  And  if  it  be  but  a  shadow  of  good  that 
you  obtain  on  earth,  and  this  vanishing  phantom 
only  for  a  day,  how  little  is  it  to  be  coveted  ? — It 
is  worthless,  it  is  useless. 

But  there  are  grovelling  spirits  to  be  met  with, 
who  have  no  hesitation  in  avowing,  that  the  plea- 
sures of  earth  content  them.  Worldly  gratifica- 
tions are  quite  to  their  taste ;  they  are  satisfied 
with  them,  and  they  do  not  trouble  themselves 
with  the  idea  that  they  will  soon  end.  If  these 
pleasures  are  short-lived,  they  will  at  least  have 
their  day  of  earth's  transitory  enjoyments  ;  and 
let  the  term  be  longer  or  shorter,  they  have*"no 
relish  for  any  bliss  that  is  more  elevated  or  pure. 
They  believe  in  no  joy  of  which  they  do  not  at 
present  feel  themselves  susceptible.     They  possess 


OF    WORLDLINESS.  197 

what  they  desire  ;  futurity  is  too  distant  to  interest 
them.     Let  eternity  provide  for  itself ! 

Of  one  thing,  earthworms,  you  surely  are  devoid, 
and  that  is — ambition  !  If  a  life-rent  is  all  you  ask, 
when  perpetuity  is  offered,  you  aspire  to  little. 
Know  you  not,  that 

u  Perpetuity  of  bliss  alone  is  bliss  V\ 

Can  it  be,  that  a  few  years, — it  may  be,  hours  of 
pleasure, — will  suffice  for  an  immortal  soul  ?  Can 
satisfaction  for  eternity  be  found  in  a  day  ?  Your 
contentment  is  at  variance  with  the  belief  of  man's 
unending  existence.  It  is  a  tacit  denial  of  the  im- 
mortality of  the  soul ;  it  is  levelling,  it  is  pitiful ! 
Methinks  the  race  of  men  should  rise  in  arms 
against  a  kinsman  who  thus  degrades  their  species, 
and  would  confine  their  happiness  to  the  low  enjoy 
ments  that  may  be  gleaned  during  the  short  span 
of  human  life.  Let  the  worldling  gather  honey,  if 
he  can,  from  earth's  flowers ;  let  him  beware  of 
affirming,  that  there  are  not  more  luxuriant  plants, 
filled  with  richer  sweets,  within  his  reach,  and  that 
these  are  not  held  out  to  his  acceptance,  beyond 
the  grave,  would  he  receive  them. 

There  are  two  things  that  more  especially  dis- 
tinguish man  from  the  brute  creation,— reason  and 
immortality.  Deprive  him  of  these,  and  he  be- 
comes on  a  level  with  the  lower  animals.  And 
those  worldly  men  who  content  themselves  with 

17* 


198  GROVELLING    NATURE 

earthly  joy,  desiring  nothing  better,  casting  higher 
hopes  from  them,  in  fact  resign  their  claim  to  either 
of  these  ennobling  characteristics. 

What  proof  of  reason  does  that  man  give  who 
clings  to  the  lowest,  and  is  unwilling  to  receive  the 
highest  good ;  who  cares  not  to  give  up,  without 
any  equivalent,  unutterable  and  everlasting  blessed- 
ness ?  Reason,  surely,  there  is  none  here.  A 
creature  devoid  of  it  might  select  the  worse,  and 
leave  the  infinitely  better  ;  but  not  so  him  in  whom 
intellectual  capacity  dwells.  The  worldly,  who  act 
thus  in  the  most  important  of  all  concerns,  must 
admit,  that  their  claim  to  rational  endowment,  or 
at  least  to  their  exercising  the  powers  of  the  under 
standing,  is  gone.  Their  intellect,  in  this  case,  is 
not  exerted,  and  therefore  it  is  void.    ♦ 

Nor  do  the  worldly  propose  to  make  more  use 
of  the  other  ennobling  quality  we  have  specified 
— namely,  immortality.     Of  what  benefit  is  the 
term  of  endless  years  to  him  who  expects  no  en- 
joyment in   them, — whose   pleasures  are  of  the 
earth,  earthy  ?     Were  heaven  and  its  blessedness 
swept  from  the  universe,  it  were  matter  of  no  con 
cern  to  that  man,  who  values  not  the  most  valuable 
part  of  his  existence,  and  would  resign  .t  if  he  might 
He  abandons  the  exhaustless  fountain  of  pure  joy, 
that  is  open  and  offered  to  his  acceptance,  and 
strives  to  quench  his  thirst  with  the  dregs  of  pol 
luted,  worldly  pleasure,  which  never  satisfy.     And 


OF    WORLDLINESS.  199 

is  there  not  an  assimilation  to  the  inferior  animals 
here,  in  the  low  estimation  in  which  immortality  is 
held,  and  the  conception,  which  seems  rooted  in 
the  minds  of  the  worldly,  that  that  which  elevates 
and  dignifies  humanity  is  not  conducive  to  the  hap 
piness  of  man  ?  If  our  felicity  springs  exclusively 
from  earth,  so  does  that  of  the  worm  that  enters  its 
recesses,  or  crawls  on  its  surface.  And  is  man 
willing  to  be  degraded  to  an  equality  with  the  most 
grovelling  species  having  life  ? — man,  who  is 
"  noble  in  reason !  infinite  in  faculties  !  in  form 
and  moving,  how  express  and  admirable  !  in  ac- 
tion, how  like  an  angel !" 

"  Though  sullied  and  dishonour'd,  still  divine ! 
Dim  miniature  of  greatness  absolute  1" 

Shall  he  cleave  to  the  dust,  and  be  content  to  gro- 
vel with  the  grub,  or,  if  he  rise  at  all,  merely  to 
flutter  with  the  butterfly  ?  It  may  be  so  ;  but  he 
is  lost  to  the  superiority  of  his  nature  over  crea- 
tures in  rank  infinitely  subordinate.  Oh  !  it  is 
grievous  to  see  an  immortal  soul  despise  the  privi- 
leges of  his  immortality,  and  hug  the  chains  which 
confine  his  happiness  within  the  narrow  limits  of 
his  existence  on  earth  ! 

"Yet  man,  fool  man  !  here  buries  all  his  thoughts: 
Inters  celestial  hopes  without  one  sigh. 
Pris'ner  of  earth,  and  pent  beneath  the  moon, 
Here  pinions  all  his  wishes :  Wing'd  by  heav'n 
To  fly  at  infinite  ;  and  reach  it  there 
Where  seraphs  gather  immortality. 
On  Life's  fair  tree,  fast  by  the  throne  of  God, 


200  GROVELLING   NATURE 

What  golden  joys  ambrosial  clust'ring  glow 
In  His  full  beam !" 

For  these  the  worldly  neither  look  nor  hunger,  bui 
still  would  feed  on  husks  of  earthly  growth,  scanty 
and  unsatisfying  although  they  be. 

"  There  is  a  spirit  in  man,"  said  Elihu,  "  and 
the  inspiration  of  the  Almighty  giveth  him  under- 
standing." How,  then,  is  the  spirit  abased,  and 
the  understanding  become  darkened  !  How  is  the 
gold  become  dim,  and  the  most  fine  gold  changed  ! 
Alas  !  for  man,  if  immortality  is  profitless  to  him ! 
The  weighty  gift  of  an  infinite  duration  of  bliss 
accounted  useless  and  tasteless  !  Could  he  divest 
himself  of  this  proud  distinction,  immortality,  he 
would  be  lowered  in  the  scale  of  being,  sunk  in 
grade  among  the  creation  of  God.  But  this  he 
cannot  do.  Be  it  ever  remembered,  immortal  he 
must  still  remain.  To  renounce  his  immortality, 
the  powers  of  man  are  totally  inadequate.  And 
let  the  dread  thought  be  forcibly  impressed  upon 
the  mind, — when  immortality  ceases  to  be  the 
greatest  blessing,  it  becomes  necessarily  the  great 
est  curse  ! — for  its  endless  ages,  if  not  spent  in 
bliss,  must  be  spent  in  wo !  But  this  is  a  hack- 
neyed theme,  and  therefore  makes  no  impression. 
We  speak  of  endless  happiness  and  misery  as  we 
do  of  the  occurrences  of  a  day, — a  conception  of 
the  full  meaning  of  the  words  is  not  entertained 
by  us.     The  force,  the  boundlessness  of  the  ideas, 


OF    WORLDLINESS.  201 

is  never  felt.  The  entire  sense  the  words  convey 
does  not  reach  the  mind.  It  is  to  be  questioned 
if  any  man  ever  conceived  of  the  awful  importance 
attached  to  the  expressions,  endless  bliss  and  end- 
less wo.  As  we  journey  onward  in  another  sphere, 
blissful,  or  the  sad  reverse,  the  infinite  weight  of 
eternity  may  by  degrees  open  upon  us.  And  as 
its  importance  becomes  gradually  unfolded,  we 
shall  be  inclined  to  startle,  as  well  as  marvel,  at  its 
infinitude,  while  lengthened  terms  elapse,  and  its 
duration  is  not  shortened !  What  continuity  can- 
not lessen,  or  extent  of  years  abridge,  is  without  a 
limit,  an  idea  which  bewilders  the  senses.  And 
whether  we  shall  ever  be  enabled  to  grasp  the  idea 
in  another  world,  or  when  even  a  slight  perception 
of  eternity  may  begin  to  be  developed,  remains 
unknown  to  us. 

Oh  !  votary  of  the  world,  pause  ere  you  rush 
headlong  into  wretchedness  thus  absorbing,  thus 
interminable  !  Can  it  be  that  you  shudder  not  to 
plunge  into  the  gulf  of  endless  perdition  !  Shall 
not  the  burning  of  unquenchable  fire  produce  con- 
tinued anguish  ?  Shall  not  the  gnawings  of  the 
worm  that  never  dies  inflict  perpetual  torture  ? 
Well  may  you  be  willing  to  renounce  your  immor- 
tality, if  your  existence  must  be  thus  hopelessly 
miserable  !  But  "  why  will  you  die  ?"  is  the  lan- 
guage addressed  to  you  in  Holy  Writ.  "  I  have 
no  pleasure  in  the  death  of  him  that  dieth,  saith 


202  GROVELLING    NATURE 

your  God,  turn  ye,  turn  ye,  from  your  evil  ways 
and  live." 

However  reasonable  the  course  here  suggested 
may  be,  it  is  not  from  reason  that  any  change  in 
worldly  characters  can  be  anticipated.  The  heart 
of  man,  unrenewed  by  grace,  is  so  abhorrent  of 
true  religion,  that  it  is  almost  ready  to  run  the  risk 
of  unlimited  suffering,  and  to  take  the  chance  of 
what  futurity  may  produce,  rather  than  adopt  this 
hated  remedy.  It  is  too  true,  that  in  our  native 
state  we  "  cannot  serve  the  Lord,"*  that  no  service 
is  so  distasteful,  none  so  repugnant  to  the  natural 
bent  of  man's  inclinations,  as  obedience  to  the 
commands  of  a  Holy  God.  Yet  without  this  sub- 
serviency of  heart  to  our  Creator  we  are  lost.  God 
and  man  must  be  united  in  design  and  in  desire, 
if  man  is  to  be  rendered  happy ;  from  opposition 
to  God  there  must  ensue  misery.  But  "He  is  of 
one  mind,  and  who  can  turn  him,"  and  from  ever- 
lasting to  everlasting  the  same.  It  is  not  possible 
that  God  should  change — perfection  admits  not  of 
change.  To  alter  aught  in  God  is  to  make  his 
excellencies  less  transcendently  glorious.  That 
which  has  attained  the  highest  altitude  cannot 
ascend,  but  if  moved  in  the  scale  must  be  lowered. 
And  shall  God  stoop  to  meet  the  imperfections  of 
man  ?    It  cannot  be.     The  nature  of  the  Supreme 

*  Joshua  xxiv.  19. 


OF    WORLDLINESS.  203 

is  stationary,  without  rise  or  fall.  Throughout 
eternity  it  remains,  infinitely  and  beyond  concep- 
tion, exalted  above  that  of  the  creature,  incapable 
of  the  slightest  deviation  from  the  height  of  per- 
fection ! 

If  this  be  admitted,  and  if  it  be  true  that  man's 
nature,  since  the  fall,  is  at  variance  with  the  per- 
fections of  Jehovah,  and  that  assimilation  between 
God  and  man  is  necessary  to  man's  happiness,  it 
follows  that  in  order  to  effect  it,  a  change  must 
take  place  in  the  human  soul.  This  change  is  at 
once  glorious  and  elevating.  It  transforms  the 
faculties  that  were  fettered  to  earth,  into  those 
which  are  heavenly  in  their  origin  and  tendency. 
And  one  noble  effect  of  this  transformation  is  in 
the  satisfaction,  the  delight,  that  is  experienced 
from  the  knowledge  of  man's  immortality.  Bound- 
less duration  is  no  longer  spurned  as  of  little 
value,  or  dreaded  as  a  curse,  but  is  felt  to  be  un- 
speakably precious,  and  is  received  as  the  gift 
which  enhances  beyond  expression,  that  of  life. 
The  nature  is  fitted  for  the  reception  of  the  match- 
less boon,  and  it  is  received  with  gratitude.  The 
man  who  is  born  from  above  is  not  content  with 
the  inferior  animal's  destiny.  He  seeks  not  to 
perish  everlastingly !  He  grovels  no  longer,  lick- 
ing the  dust.  He  finds  earth  beneath  the  level  to 
which  his  ambition  rises.  With  avidity  he  grasps 
an  eternal  and  unfading  crown  !     Elevation  of  soul 


204  GROVELLING    NATURE 

is  present,  and  man  is  restored  to  his   primeval 
dignity ! 

My  reader !  has  this  ennobling  change  passed 
upon  you  ?  There  is  a  test  by  which  to  judge  of 
it ;  how  do  you  stand  affected  as  it  regards  immor- 
tality ?  Is  eternity  your  desire,  or  your  dread  ? 
Are  your  thoughts  respecting  it  pleasing,  or  the 
reverse  ?  Or  is  it  that  of  which  you  think  not  at 
all?  You  cannot  value  what  never  costs  you  a 
thought ;  and  if  you  value  not  this  high  distinction 
of  man,  there  is  a  grovelling  taint  that  lurks  with- 
in, there  is  earthliness,  there  are  symptoms  of  base 
extraction,  there  is  a  sordid  defilement  on  the  soul, 
there  is  an  influence  that  levels,  that  subordinates. 

But  possibly  you  may  satisfy  yourself  with  the 
conviction  that  you  wish  for  the  continuance  of 
your  existence,  that  you  are  averse  to  the  idea  of 
perishing  with  the  brutes,  that  you  feel  the  "  secret 
dread  and  inward  terror  of  falling  into  nought." 
And  who  does  not  feel  it,  when  the  awful  thought 
is  brought  home  with  power  to  the  mind  ?  The 
soul  naturally  "  shrinks  back  on  herself,  and  startles 
at  destruction."  Yet  this  feeling  may  exist,  and  still 
you  may  be  a  stranger  to  that  which  proves  that 
your  treasure  is  in  heaven,  delight  in  the  prospect 
of  immortality.  It  is  an  immortal  existence  spent 
as  you  would  have  it  that  you  desire,  and  not  that 
happiness  which  is  bestowed  as  the  highest  boon 
on  God's  most  favoured  creatures,  in  which  purity 


OF    WORLDLINESS.  205 

of  heart  forms  the  essence.  The  reality  of  eternal 
blessedness  you  prize  not ;  wherefore,  till  you  are 
taught  to  prize  it,  there  is  no  help  from  God  him- 
self for  you  !  Oh  !  seek  then  that  change  which 
is  described  by  the  sacred  penman  as  a  passing 
"  from  death  unto  life."  That  man  is  in  a  state  of 
eternal  death,  to  whom  eternal  life  is  inaccessible ; 
if  he  cannot  reach  life,  death  is  the  only  alterna- 
tive. Let  your  ardent  supplications,  therefore,  as- 
cend unto  Him  who  by  the  cross  "  hath  abolished 
death,  and  hath  brought  life  and  immortality  to  light 
through  the  Gospel."  Fervently  pray  that  you 
may  be  rendered  meet  for  the  endless  bliss  he  died 
to  purchase.  One  requisite  you  possess, — immor- 
tality ;  add  to  it  an  interest  in  the  Redeemer's  blood, 
and  you  are  eternally  blessed. 

But  have  you,  believer  in  Jesus,  learned  fully  to 
prize  your  immortality  1  Have  you  considered  the 
extent,  the  boundlessness,  the  preciousness,  of  im- 
mortal joy  ?  Strive  to  acquaint  yourself  with  some 
faint  conception,  of  continued,  lengthened,  joyful 
periods  elapsing,  without  deducting  one  particle 
from  the  term  still  to  elapse.  Think  of  blessed- 
ness in  continuity,  until  it  seems  scarcely  possible 
but  that  of  necessity  it  must  subside  or  be  exhaust- 
ed, and  yet  that  at  the  longest  space  of  its  duration, 
there  will  be  infinitely  more  to  succeed  than  ever 
has  passed'!  The  impossibility  of  subtraction  con- 
stitutes eterni-ty  ;  extent  of  time  having  no  power 

18 


206  GROVELLING    NATURE 

to  diminish,  or  make  the  future  less.  The  sum  of 
periods,  and  consequently  of  joy  in  reserve  (when 
all  are  joyful)  remains  stationary  at  the  highest 
point  of  calculation,  and  can  never  be  lowered  by 
the  sweep  of  ages  !  The  thought  is  overwhelm- 
ing, but  it  is  overwhelmingly  joyous  !  Taste  the 
joy,  believing  soul,  now,  that  it  is  calculated  to  af- 
ford,— it  will  not  deduct  from  the  amplitude  that  is 
to  come, — you  cannot  lessen  eternity's  bliss.  What 
you  take  per  advance  is  gain,  is  surplus  ;  eternal 
joy  remains  untouched,  unaltered  ! 

Against  the  weight  of  this  blessedness  let  us 
place  "the  world," — all  that  it  ever  has  given,  all 
that  it  ever  can  give.  Is  the  balance  equal  ?  Can 
a  few  days  or  years  weigh  against  eternity  ?  It 
cannot  be  ;  even  if  the  degree  of  joy  experienced 
during  the  same  period  were  alike ;  but  here,  again, 
the  default  on  the  side  of  the  world  is  immense ; 
in  measure  as  in  continuance  heaven's  bliss  is  infi- 
nitely superior.  The  largest  amount  of  worldly 
blessing  is  not  to  be  named  as  an  equivalent  for  the 
loss  of  God's  blessedness  !  And  will  the  largest 
amount  of  worldly  blessing  compensate  for  the 
endurance  of  the  fire  of  God's  wrath  ?  Ah !  no. 
Let  it  then  be  deeply  impressed  upon  the  mind  that 
the  world's  pleasures  are  baubles  not  worth  the 
possessing ;  its  smiles,  trifles  not  worth  the  covet- 
ing ;  its  frowns,  being  quickly  at  an  endj  not  worthy 
to  be  dreaded. 


OF    WORLDLINESS.  207 

We  cannot,  however,  conclude,  without  remind- 
ing our  readers  that  this  is  not  a  fair  statement  of 
the  fact ;  it  is  not  in  futurity  only  that  the  believer's 
happiness  exceeds  that  of  other  men ;  in  the  pre- 
sent life  the  joys  of  the  Christian  greatly  surpass 
those  of  the  worldly,  inasmuch  as  they  are  the 
joys  in  which  God  himself  delights,  and  the  enjoy- 
ments of  the  world,  those  of  degraded,  fallen  crea- 
tures. Let  us  then  seek  the  substance,  not  the 
shadow  of  bliss.  And  let  it  be  our  unwearied  en- 
deavour, as  well  as  our  highest  ambition,  to  attain 
that  blessedness  which  is  satisfying,  ennobling,  and 
eternal  ! 


FINIS. 


1    1012  010Q5  1235 


